The Railroad that Built Foley

Foley’s story begins with John B. Foley, a Chicago businessman who discovered South Baldwin County’s potential in 1901. After purchasing up to 50,000 acres, he founded the Magnolia Land Company—but quickly realized that growth required access. Using his own funds, Foley built a railroad line connecting the area to Bay Minette, laying the foundation for the community that would bear his name.

The first depot was constructed in 1905 along the Bay Minette and Fort Morgan Railroad, originally used to transport timber. Early wood-burning trains—nicknamed the “Pine Knot Special”—ran daily, carrying passengers, stopping along farms, and fueling growth through a unique wood-for-cash system with local settlers.

As Foley incorporated in 1915, the railroad became the town’s lifeline. It brought new residents from the North and carried out agricultural products like potatoes, corn, cucumbers, tobacco, and flowers. At its peak, thousands of boxcars left Foley each season, connecting this rural community to national markets.

Eventually, the line came under the Louisville & Nashville Railroad (L&N), a major Southeastern rail network spanning over 6,000 miles. The L&N helped solidify Foley’s place in the broader economy, linking it to cities like New Orleans, Atlanta, and Memphis.

By the mid-20th century, rail service declined due to the rise of automobiles, highways, and air travel. In 1971, service ended, and the depot faced demolition—until it was purchased for $1 by local businessman John Snook and relocated for storage.

In the 1990s, the depot returned home. Restored and reopened in 1995, it now serves as the Foley Railroad Museum, preserving the history and heritage of South Baldwin County.

Today, the railroad’s legacy lives on. It was the catalyst for Foley’s founding, the engine of its early economy, and the connection that transformed a remote Gulf Coast area into a thriving community.