February 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, February 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2013
Pontchartrain Railroad minutes from 1882-1931. In 1830 the Louisiana railroad was only the second ever constructed in the U.S. and the first west of the Allegheny Mountains. Its steam locomotive was known by its popular nickname, the ''Smoky Mary.'' Book of minutes comprises 155 pages of handwritten notes and tipped-in notarized contracts taken from the formal meetings of the Pontchartrain Railroad's administrators. Log book contains all the most important information related to the major decisions made for the Pontchartrain's development, including plans for the acquisition of new land. On the upper margin of each handwritten page, ''Office of the Pontchartrain Railroad Company'' is written with the date and usually also ''New Orleans, LA''. One handwritten page reads in part, ''...It is furthermore agreed, should at any time during the continuance of this contract, the Morgan's Louisiana and Texas Railroad Company desire to go up or down town it shall have the right to curve off...and cross the track of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company or Pontchartrain Railroad Company at any point between Chartre and Claiborne Street and the said work to be done at the expense of the Morgan's Louisiana & Texas Railroad Company...'' 217 pages are bound in multicolor paper boards with a cloth spine. Measures 8.25'' x 14''. Toning and wear to exterior, else near fine given age. An important and singular piece of railroad history.
Important Early Railroad Documents -- Internal Minutes Log From the Pontchartrain ''Smoky Mary'' Railroad -- The Second Railroad Ever Built in the United States
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