L. A. Cowan & Sons

Standard gauge, -lb rail

Headquarters: Mobile, AL

Mill Location: Reba, MS (Greene County)

Mill Capacity: 50,000 ft/day

Years of Operation: 1918-19

Miles Operated

Locomotives Owned: 2

Equipment:

1 McGiffert log loader

Click Map for Larger Version

History by Gil Hoffman:

In 1918 L. A. Cowan & Sons, of Mobile, AL, built a sawmill at Reba, Greene County, on the Gulf Mobile & Northern Blodgett branch. Reba was named after one of Mr. Cowan's daughters. The mill was a single circular type with a cutting capacity of 50,000 feet per day. In the late summer of 1919. another circular rig was added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROSTER by Gil Hoffman:

  

 

Road No.

 

Type

 

Builder

 

C.N.

 

Date

 

Cyls.

 

Dri. Dia.

 

Engine

Wt.

 

Previous Ownership

 

Disposition

 

2

 

40-2

Heisler

 

Heisler

 

1404

 

11/1919

 

14x12

 

36

 

80000

 

New.

 

Leaf Lumber & Veneer Works, Avent, MS

Birmingham Rail & Locomotive Co. #1826

Sherwood-Templeton Coal Co., Lotta, IN, on 10/11/1935.

 

3

 

40-2

Heisler

 

Heisler

 

1434

 

1920

 

14x12

 

36

 

80000

 

New.

 

Schuster Springs Lumber Co. #3, Ruthven, AL,

by 5/1928.

Birmingham Rail & Locomotive Co.

United Electric Coal Companies, Pyatts, IL, on 2/20/1936.

 

 

 

 

 

                                     HOME                                              ABOUT  US                                              LINKS           

 

 

 

For more information contact Tony Howe at howe6818@bellsouth.net or David S. Price at dsprice46@bellsouth.net