The Tracks That Never Met

         An unexpected situation arose when it was discovered that the two tracks could not be joined. This was because the line from Montgomery was built with the rails about three inches closer together than the rails from Atlanta. The solution was the transfer of passengers and freight from one train to another each time a run was made between the two cities. This was inconvenient but contributed to the rapid growth of West Point as a prominent transportation center and caused a boom in the warehouse and hotel business.  

        West Point in the 185Os was a busy growing town. In 1854, it was incorporated as a city with a mayor and four aldermen. The streets had been laid out some years before and they had interesting names such as Montgomery Street, Gilmer Avenue, Jackson Street and Warren Street. 

        Homes along the tree lined streets were varied in size and style. Generally well-built and neatly kept, set in a background of the popular picket fences, they gave the town a pleasing comfortable appearance. Although many of these homes have not withstood the ravages of age and conditions, a surprising number of lovely West Point homes have survived well past the century mark and are lovingly maintained. Sometimes the descendants of the original builders continue to live in the “home place’.

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