East Carolina Land and Railway Company
Encyclopedia
The East Carolina Land and Railway Company was chartered by Craven County, North Carolina
, and the city of New Bern
in 1887 to construct a 37 miles (59.5 km) rail line connecting New Bern with Jacksonville, North Carolina
. $60,000 was asked for the rail line from the county, plus an additional $40,000 to extend the rail line to either Washington
, Greenville
, or Pantego
. The county commissioners agreed to underwrite $50,000 worth of bonds, provided the East Carolina Land and Railway Company's plans were approved of by Craven County voters in a special referendum. In January 1888, however, the railroad company withdrew its proposal and interest in the project waned.
In 1889, interest in the East Carolina Land and Railway Company was renewed, when citizens of New Bern petitioned the county commissioners to call a special referendum to allow the city of New Bern to vote on a proposition to provide $50,000 to the railroad company, provided that the railroad company connected New Bern with Jacksonville. The referendum was approved by the voters, and by 1893 the line was completed. The same year, the county commissioners officially approved New Bern’s purchase of East Carolina Land and Railway Company stock. However, the promise of lowered local taxes, owing to the proposed revenues that were to be generated by the railroad’s operation, never occurred, and in fact, taxes were raised to pay for the city’s stock purchase. Also at this time, the East Carolina Land and Railway Company was merged with the Wilmington, Onslow and East Carolina Railroad
to form the Wilmington, Newbern and Norfolk Railway Company.
Craven County, North Carolina
Craven County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The estimated population in 2006 was 94,875. Its county seat is New Bern.Craven County is part of the New Bern, North Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, and the city of New Bern
New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina with a population of 29,524 as of the 2010 census.. It is located at the confluence of the Trent and the Neuse rivers...
in 1887 to construct a 37 miles (59.5 km) rail line connecting New Bern with Jacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a city in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, the population stood at 70,145, which makes Jacksonville the 14th largest city in North Carolina...
. $60,000 was asked for the rail line from the county, plus an additional $40,000 to extend the rail line to either Washington
Washington, North Carolina
Washington is a city in Beaufort County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 9,744 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Beaufort County. The closest major city is Greenville, approximately 20 miles to the west....
, Greenville
Greenville, North Carolina
Greenville is the county seat of Pitt County and principal city of the Greenville, North Carolina metropolitan area. Greenville is the health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina's Tidewater and Coastal Plain and in 2008 was listed as the Tenth Largest City in North Carolina...
, or Pantego
Pantego, North Carolina
Pantego is a town in Beaufort County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 170 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pantego is located at ....
. The county commissioners agreed to underwrite $50,000 worth of bonds, provided the East Carolina Land and Railway Company's plans were approved of by Craven County voters in a special referendum. In January 1888, however, the railroad company withdrew its proposal and interest in the project waned.
In 1889, interest in the East Carolina Land and Railway Company was renewed, when citizens of New Bern petitioned the county commissioners to call a special referendum to allow the city of New Bern to vote on a proposition to provide $50,000 to the railroad company, provided that the railroad company connected New Bern with Jacksonville. The referendum was approved by the voters, and by 1893 the line was completed. The same year, the county commissioners officially approved New Bern’s purchase of East Carolina Land and Railway Company stock. However, the promise of lowered local taxes, owing to the proposed revenues that were to be generated by the railroad’s operation, never occurred, and in fact, taxes were raised to pay for the city’s stock purchase. Also at this time, the East Carolina Land and Railway Company was merged with the Wilmington, Onslow and East Carolina Railroad
Wilmington, Onslow and East Carolina Railroad
The Wilmington, Onslow and East Carolina Railroad was incorporated by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1885 and existed until 1893, when it was merged into the Wilmington, Newbern and Norfolk Railroad. It eventually became part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad....
to form the Wilmington, Newbern and Norfolk Railway Company.