Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Company
Historical Note
After years of proposals from Lynchburg citizens, the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad was chartered in 1849. Built in the 1850s, the V&T connected Southwestern Virginia, from Lynchburg to Bristol. With V&T rail lines came expanded economic markets and new industry. During the Civil War, the V&T served as a Confederate lifeline by moving supplies, weapons, and troops. The Confederate reliance on the V&T resulted in the partial destruction of lines by Union forces. In 1870, the V&T joined the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad and the City Point Railroad to create the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Ohio Railroad. The AM&O later became the Norfolk and Western.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Letters
The collection contains letters to William S. Archer discussing his election as delegate to the July 1849 convention of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad Company. Correspondence also discusses the plan to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via railroads.