Saint Johns Railway

 Processed by:  Florence Chase Bragdon

 CALL NUMBER:

 RECORD GROUP NUMBER:  Records

 CREATOR:  Saint Johns Railway of Florida

 TITLE:  Records

 DATES:  1881-1884

 VOLUME:  1 document box

 MEDIUM:

 RESTRICTION ON ACCESS NOTE:  All documents are encapsulated.  Collection is in good condition.

 TERMS GOVERNING USE AND REPRODUCTION NOTE:  Any reproduction of this material must be approved by archivist.

 BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL NOTE:  The Saint Johns Railroad, consisting of only 15 miles, was charted on the last day of 1858.  The company’s prime owner was Dr. John Wescott, a New Jersey native.  The St. Johns Railroad ran from Tocoi Landing on the St. John’s River to New Augustine, a village near San Sebastian River.  The track was original built of wood and iron strap.

 In March of 1862 Union gun boats destroyed the railroad’s dock at Tocoi Landing, by burning the companies stock, ripping apart it’s steam locomotive and confiscating it’s new rails which were shipped to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

 By the late 1860’s the Saint Johns Railroad had scraped together enough money to resume operations, though the firm remained in a primitive state.  Around 1870, the railway was bought by William Astor of New York City.  The line was again rebuilt and in 1888 was purchased by Henry Flagler, and the track was converted to standard gauge.

 In early April of 1896 the railroad was finally abandoned.  The only tangible reminder of the Saint John’s Railroad existence is a St. Augustine Historical Society marker standing on Florida State Road 214.

 SUMMARY AND SCOPE NOTE:  The collection contains business correspondence between Richard McLaughlin, President and F. M. Clark, making Clark the Ticket Agent and later the Auditor.  Letter of interest include reference to “colored excursions”, pamphlets containing the Rule and Regulations, a Tourist’s Guide of Florida dated 1881-1882, receipts, tickets and coupons.  Business correspondence is dated from 1881-1884.

ORGANIZATION NOTE:  Chronological

 FINDING AID NOTE:  Business correspondence, receipts, tickets and coupons.

 ADDITIONAL PHYSCIAL FORM AVAILABLE:

 LOCATION OF ORIGINALS NOTE:

 LANGUAGE NOTE:  English

 PROVENANCE NOTE:  Unknown