Historical Spotlight: The Canton & Carthage Railroad, from 1800s

Special to The Canton News 

Did you know that the Canton & Carthage Railroad (CCA) played a key role in transporting lumber in Mississippi? Originally built in the late 1800s to haul timber for the Canton lumber mill, this small but mighty railroad hauled logs from as far as Pearl River, Louisiana, to Canton. In the 1930s and ‘40s, it even shared tracks with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad.

By the 1950s, the CCA had transitioned into a common carrier, using a heavy 2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotive to serve the Canton to Carthage route. After the mill closed, local businessmen in Carthage took over the line, continuing operations until it was eventually abandoned in 1960.

A fascinating chapter in the region’s industrial past, the Canton & Carthage Railroad serves as a reminder of the pivotal role railroads played in shaping the local economy and history.