The Canton and Carthage Railroad Company was formed by investors L. C. Baker, C. L. Freiler, H. W. Hobbs, F. W. Reimers, and G. W. Wingaard in Canton, Madison County, Mississippi, on December 21, 1927. At about the same time, the Pearl River Valley Lumber Company had begun building a railway line in order to facilitate the transport of timber from its logging operation near Carthage, Leake County, Mississippi, to its lumber mill in Canton. The residents of Carthage also wanted the lumber company to provide them with passenger-rail service, but the lumber company stated that it was not in the common-carrier business.

The Pearl River Valley Lumber Company offered to sell its railway line to the Canton and Carthage Railroad Company on May 15, 1928, provided the lumber company would have full access to the railway line. This sale would provide the residents of Carthage with passenger-rail service to the Canton depot, which was a hub for the Illinois Central Railroad, and the Pearl River Valley Lumber Company with an efficient way to transport timber to its mill in Canton. The railroad company agreed to purchase the eleven miles of track already completed and the remaining twenty-two miles of track upon completion. The railroad company and the lumber company signed this agreement after receiving permission from the Illinois Central Railroad to use its track and the Canton depot and after obtaining the approval of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Stock in the Canton and Carthage Railroad Company was offered for sale on November 12, 1928. The company added approximately another thirty-eight miles of track by 1940, and it continued to operate until 1960.

This collection consists of two minute books of the Canton and Carthage Railroad Company and a map of its railway line. The first volume contains board of directors’ minutes dating from the formation of the company on December 21, 1927, to January 22, 1929. The second volume contains board of directors’ minutes dating from December 26, 1929, to May 21, 1942. The map shows a section of track completed circa 1928 and the proposed route of the Canton and Carthage Railroad Company.

1. Minute Books. 1927-1942. 2 items.

   Box 1, folder 1 (1927-1929)
   Box 1, folder 2 (1929-1942)

2. Map. ca. 1928. 1 item. (oversize)