An excavated brass baggage tag engraved with “Richmond – White Sulphur” – “260” and a star. Prior to sections of railroads being completed they would run stage coach lines between towns. The tag is for baggage but I believe it to be earlier than a railroad tag. The back has a number of initials carved on. The shape is also unusual, it looks to be closer to the 1860's identification tags produced. A rare Virginia item.
Construction of the old Covington and Ohio line began from Huntington, West Virginia on the western end and Covington on the eastern end, and progressed towards the middle. By July 1869, construction of the line westward had reached White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and with the use of three temporary tracks around two unfinished tunnels and an embankment, the entire line of 227 miles from Richmond to White Sulphur Springs could be traveled. In August 1871, a locomotive named the Greenbrier was floated high quality down the Ohio River to aid in the construction of the line from the western side. The final spike ceremony for the 428-mile long line from Richmond to the Ohio River was held on January 29, 1873, at Hawk's Nest railroad bridge in the New River Valley, near the town of Ansted in Fayette County, West Virginia. The last spike was driven by C.R. Mason, who had also driven the first spike of the Louisa Railroad and had held various positions over the course of the Virginia Central's and C&O's history.
The artifact comes as shown in a 4” x 5” riker style case. The tag measures 1 13/16”.
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Product code: Richmond – high quality White Sulphur - Baggage Tag