Jamesville and Washington Rail Road Lumber Co. - 1873 dated $1,000 Railway and Lumber Bond

$1,000 8% Bond printed by American Bank Note Co., Phila. with 14 coupons remaining. Attractive bond with 3 vignettes!

The Jamesville and Washington Rail Road and Lumber Company, established in February 1869, was a commercial logging enterprise that profoundly impacted the development of a secluded region of North Carolina during the late 19th century. Its primary objective was to harvest timber from its extensive landholdings south and east of Jamesville and transport it to the port town of Washington, North Carolina. To facilitate this, the company constructed the inaugural railroad to enter Washington, North Carolina, a narrow-gauge line spanning approximately 22 miles between Jamesville, situated on the Roanoke River, and Washington, located on the Pamlico River. Affectionately known as the “Jolt and Wiggle” due to its uneven ride, the railroad initially operated as a private logging line but was later expanded and made public, opening to traffic in December 1877.

Although the company’s operations initially achieved success in opening the local hinterlands to large-scale timbering and farming, their lifespan was relatively short-lived. The railroad made a single round trip daily, serving as a crucial link for the local economy. However, the company encountered challenges, and in February 1893, a special act authorized it to abandon a portion of its track and alter its route. Just a few years later, in 1896, the entire line was abandoned, likely due to the depletion of accessible timber stands. Despite its demise, the railroad’s legacy continues to endure, as its path contributed to the expansion of local communities. Notably, the former Washington depot building was later transformed into a historic private residence.