Mifflin and Centre County Rail Road Co. - Same Stock Folded and Unfolded - 1864-1885 dated Railway Stock Certificate

Stock printed by Wm. F. Murphy & Sons, Phila. 25 cents Washington revenue stamp!

The Mifflin and Centre County Railroad (M&CC) was established on April 2, 1860, with the initial objective of constructing a railway line from Lewistown to a location near Milesburg in Centre County. The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) promptly became involved, providing financial investment and operational assistance. Construction commenced in February 1863, and the initial seven-mile segment to Reedsville was completed by May 1, 1865. Shortly after completion, the M&CC entered into a 999-year operating lease with the PRR, effectively placing it under the broader railroad’s control. Subsequently, the line was extended an additional 5.4 miles to Milroy, reaching this final terminus on January 6, 1868. This route facilitated the transportation of local natural resources such as iron ore, limestone, and timber, which were of paramount importance to the central Pennsylvania economy.

Over the ensuing decades, the M&CC infrastructure was fully integrated into the extensive PRR system through a series of corporate reorganizations. In October 1896, the M&CC merged with the Sunbury & Lewistown Railway Company, and the amalgamated entity was subsequently absorbed into the Pennsylvania Railroad Company effective April 1, 1902. The original M&CC trackage was subsequently designated as the Milroy Branch and eventually the Milroy Secondary following the cessation of passenger service in 1941. Portions of the original line, including the trackage in Lewistown utilized for street running, continue to be in operation today as part of the Juniata Valley Railroad, a short-line railway operated under the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority.