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The history of the Norfolk and Western Railway began with the City Point Railroad , a nine-mile line from City Point (now the independent City of Hopewell, Virginia) to Petersburg, Virginia. This short-line played a crucial role in the US Civil WarThe American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the northern states, popularly referred to as "the U. the Union," " the North," or "the Yankees"; and the seceding southern states, commonly referred to as "the Confederat during the Siege of Petersburg in 1864-1865. After the War, it became part of the Southside Railroad .
William Mahone, a Virginia Military InstituteThe Virginia Military Institute is the first state-supported military college and is located in Lexington, Virginia, USA. It has been referred to as the " West Point of the South" Early history On November 11, 1839, the Virginia Military Institute was fou engineering graduate, built the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad and eventually became its president in the pre-Civil War era. Mahone's innovative roadbed through the Great Dismal Swamp near Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk is a city in the U. state of Virginia in the United States of America. It is an independent city, and therefore part of no county. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 234,403. Norfolk is located on the Elizabeth River, on Ham, employs a log foundation laid at right angles beneath the surface of the swamp. Still in use today, it withstands immense tonnages of coal traffic - today's freight on a very effectively engineered 19th century track.
Mahone married Otelia Butler, from Smithfield, VirginiaSmithfield is a town located in Isle of Wight County, in the South Hampton Roads region of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 6,324. The town, orginally founded in the 17th century as a seaport, is mos, who was said to be a cultured lady. Popular legend has it that they traveled along the newly completed Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad naming stations from "Ivanhoe" a book she was reading by Sir Walter Scott. The names resultant included Windsor, Ivor, Waverly, and Wakefield. When they could not agree, it is said that the name Disputanta was created.
Of small stature, the dynamic Mahone became a Major General in the Confederate Army and was widely regarded as the hero of the Battle of the Crater during the Siege of Petersburg in 1864Events January March January 21 Maori Wars: The Tauranga Campaign starts. February 27 American Civil War: The first Northern prisoners arrive at the Confederate prison at Andersonville, Georgia. March 1- Alejandro Mon Menendez takes office as Prime Minist- 1865.
After the war, William Mahone was the driving force in the linkage of N&P, Southside Railroad and the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad to form the Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio Railroad (AM&O), a new line extending from Norfolk to Bristol, Virginia in 1870. The letters A,M & O were said to stand for "All Mine and Otelia's."
After several years of operating under receiverships, Mahone's role as a railroad builder ended in 1881 when northern interests purchased it and renamed it Norfolk and Western. Mahone arranged for the proceeds of the A,M & O sale to help founded a school for teachers near Petersburg. The Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute at Petersburg was forerunner of Virginia State College, which expanded to become Virginia State University, and Norfolk State College, which expanded to become Norfolk State University.
After losing control of the A,M, & O, William Mahone stayed active in the economic and political life of Virginia for almost 15 more years. He served as mayor of Petersburg and became a Senator in the US Congress from Virginia. After suffering a stroke, he died in 1895.