Live Oak and Gulf Railway
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railroad |
| Founded | 1895 |
| Founder | Charles White, James White, Robert L. Anderson |
| Defunct | 1916 |
| Fate | Merged with Suwannee & San Pedro Railroad to form Florida Railway; line closed and tracks removed in 1916 |
| Headquarters | Live Oak, Florida , United States |
Key people | Robert L. Anderson (President), Charles White (Vice President), James White (Secretary and Treasurer), Charles McGehee (General Manager) |
| Products | Rail transport services (phosphate, general freight, passenger) |
The Live Oak & Gulf Railway was a privately owned standard gauge rail line operating in Florida from 1895 until 1916.
Establishment
On January 4, 1895, Charles White and James White, New York City residents managing French real estate interests in Citra, partnered with Robert L. Anderson of Ocala to establish the Live Oak & Gulf Railway Company. The initial capital was set at $5,000. Anderson took on the role of President, Charles White became Vice President, and James White assumed the duties of Secretary and Treasurer. They purchased the track and assets belonging to the Live Oak, Luraville & Deadman's Bay Railroad (LOL&DBRR), except for its charter.
At the outset, Anderson owned 5 shares, Charles White held 10, and James White possessed 35 shares. On March 5, 1895, the company's capital was raised to $150,000, though only $5,000 had been utilized at that time. Additionally, W.C. Remick and Thomas McIntosh from LOL&DBRR each acquired 5 shares transferred from the Whites. The company established a mortgage account with New York Security and Trust Co.
Development
By February 1895, construction efforts intensified; under the supervision of roadmaster James R. Morehead, one mile (1.6 km) of track had been laid by March 1. The entire 12-mile stretch connecting Dowling's Log Railroad terminus to the Suwannee River at Peek (near Luraville) was finished by May 15. To finance this project, bonds totaling $100,000 were issued through the mortgage bank.
Operations
The railway commenced service on May 1, 1895, appointing Charles McGehee as General Manager. It operated two locomotives stationed at a mill facility in Live Oak and maintained rolling stock that included a passenger car combined with a luggage compartment as well as two flatcars. During its inaugural year, it moved over 9,000 tons of phosphate generating revenues of $11,388; income from general freight was $1,854 while passenger services brought in $1,036. Operating expenses amounted to $6,080, resulting in a profitable net income.
Decline and Termination
In 1897, the Live Oak & Gulf Railway experienced a decline after phosphate extraction ended at the close of 1896 due to excessive iron content in deposits. With phosphate shipments halted throughout 1897, the railway redirected its efforts toward transporting general freight. On June 30, 1905, it merged with the Suwannee & San Pedro Railroad (S&SP) to create the Florida Railway. This new company operated both the route to Luraville and nine miles (14.5 km) of the original LO&G line for eleven years until closure in 1916 when tracks were dismantled.
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