Camak Railroad Days

Saturday, April 1st, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Downtown Camak, Georgia

Presented by:
Heartwood Products, Jimmy and Dena's Body Shop, Timbermen, Inc., Midsouth Paving, and First State Bank.

LOCATION:

History

The Milledgeville Railroad reached Mayfield in 1864, and there the project came to halt because of the War Between the States. The Georgia Railroad played an important part in the period covering the War Between the States. It transported without charge over 100,000 veterans of this war as they returned to their families and homes at the end of the war. It was on December 22, 1898, that the Town of Camak was incorporated under the name of Camak, by the General Assembly, State of Georgia, with the corporate powers being invested in A. W. Mershon, Mayor, for a term of one year. The charter was signed by John D. Little, Speaker of the House; Wm. A. Dodson, President of the Senate; and it was approved by Hon. A.D. Candler, Governor. Most of the land was owned by William Mayes, Sr., and his brothers.
As property could be obtained, homes were built on both sides of the railroad tracks, so that workers could walk to work. This resulted in the small town being laid out with the railroad in the center. Stores were also built along the side of the track, across from the depot. The present Camak Depot, was open for business in 1898. The cost for the depot was $ 1,785.60. A Western Union Office was also added upstairs in the depot. This resulted in a larger force of operators and clerks.

The Georgia Railroad Company was chartered December 21, 1883, to build a line of railroad from Augusta to Athens with branches to Madison and Eatonton. The charter was accepted March 10, 1834, in Athens, Georgia at the home of James Camak, for whom the town is named. Construction began early in 1835, from Augusta and was under the supervision of John Edgar Thomson, a young civil engineer from Philadelphia. The charter was amended in 1835, to permit the company to go into the Banking Business. Under the amendment, the company became The Georgia Railroad & Banking Company. The road was opened to Thomson in 1837, and was completed to Crawfordville in June, 1838. Upon the opening of the road through Warren County, stations were established west of Thomson at Camak. By further amendment to the Charter, a branch from Camak to Warrenton was authorized. This line was completed and opened for business in 1839. The first passenger service on this branch was provided by a small car pulled by a horse.
In 1861, some of the leading citizens of Warrenton, Sparta, and Milledgeville, obtained a charter to form The Milledgeville Railroad Company and build a line from Warrenton to Milledgeville. The Georgia Railroad & Banking Company made a large investment in this project.

Entertainment

Coming soon!