Longleaf Trace Bike Trail - A History

By Herlon Pierce

From an Abandoned Railroad Line to a National Recreation Trail

Editor's Note: This is the first segment in a 3 part series on the history and development of the trail.

In 1991, the Canadian National Railroad, who had gained ownership of the old Illinois Central Gulf Railroad from Hattiesburg (Mississippi), west to Prentiss and beyond, issued an abandonment notice for that portion of the line from west Hattiesburg to the town of Bassfield. This announcement came after a decade of non-use, and during that period, the old line had rapidly deteriorated to a state of disrepair, and the line was no longer usable.

The old trestles and railroad cross ties had begun to rot away and the right of way was becoming more and more overgrown with vegetative growth to include trees. Along with the deterioration came abuse, that included the theft of portions of the slag base, removal and theft of cross-ties, and in some cases, the old railroad tracks themselves. In many cases, the former railroad became a favorite dumping site for unwanted trash and garbage that included old building materials, abandoned vehicles, old tires, and household garbage.

In spite of these conditions, local community leaders and elected officials immediately mobilized an aggressive effort to fight the abandonment, as it was their continuing belief that at some point in the future, the old line would again play an important part in the economy of their communities. They quickly learned that their effort would be futile, and turned their attention to developing an economically feasible alternative use of the old line, and the eventual procurement of the old railroad line between Hattiesburg and Prentiss.

To their joy, it was discovered that funding was available to the United States Department of Transportation through the Interstate Transportation Enhancement Act (ITEA) that could be used for the conversion of old and abandoned railroad lines to greenways and multipurpose recreational trails. Thus, the beginning of the Longleaf Trace was conceived.
(Image right: Longleaf Trail Map - click to enlarge)

Through the quick and determined efforts of those who since have been recognized as founders, namely Mr. Lynn Cartlidge, then President of Forrest County Board of Supervisors; Attorney Stone Barefield, former state legislator and retired attorney for Forrest County; Mr. Bobby J. Garraway, a railroad enthusiast, local attorney and attorney for the Town of Bassfield; Mr. Ronnie Shows, former state legislator and then Mississippi Highway Commissioner of the Southern District; and Mr. James Moore, local bicycle shop owner and advocate, the conversion was begun.

Longleaf Trace Bike Trail - A History (Part 2)

Herlon Pierce is the Executive Director/Trail Manager of the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Rails-to-Trails Recreational District. Mr Pierce can be reached at (601) 450-BIKE (2453). For more information on the Longleaf Trace, visit LongLeafTrace.org.