East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway Co. - 1887 dated Railway Stock Certificate

Stock printed by Homer Lee Bank Note Co., N.Y.

The East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railroad (ETV&G), established in 1869 through the consolidation of the East Tennessee and Georgia and the East Tennessee and Virginia railroads, was a prominent 19th-century railway network. Based in Knoxville, the initial line, spanning 270 miles from Bristol, Tennessee, to Dalton, Georgia, played a crucial role in reconnecting a region severely affected by the Civil War. Under the leadership of Charles McClung McGhee, the ETV&G experienced rapid expansion, acquiring numerous smaller lines to reach over 2,500 miles by 1890. This expansion connected key locations like Knoxville and Chattanooga to points as far as Memphis, Atlanta, Mobile, and Asheville, solidifying Knoxville’s status as a major regional trade center.

However, the rapid growth and financial pressures of the late 1880s led to instability within the company. Consequently, in 1886, the ETV&G underwent reorganization, becoming the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railway. In 1894, financier J.P. Morgan orchestrated a merger with the Richmond and Danville Railroad, forming the Southern Railway. This merger stabilized operations and significantly increased the Southern Railway’s regional influence. The legacy of the ETV&G continues to this day, with its original routes forming integral parts of the Norfolk Southern Railway system. The company’s history is also commemorated through efforts such as the restoration of former ETV&G locomotive No. 154 and discussions in 2026 about the potential reinstatement of passenger service along its historic corridors.