Adam Putnam Honors Locomotive at Historic Train Depot Dedication

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam joined with the Florida Department of State and the Society of American Foresters in commemorating one of the nations oldest steam engines, the Luraville Locomotive, at a ceremony Wednesday at the Florida Department of Agriculture Conner Complex in Tallahassee that dedicated a newly constructed train depot and state historic site marker.

The dedication of the Luraville Locomotive depot and historic site marker is one way we can protect and honor Floridas rich agricultural history, Putnam stated in a release. Logging locomotives, like this one, played a significant role in bringing development to Florida, which was considered a prime location because of the large pine and cypress trees and close proximity to multiple waterways.

The Smithsonian Institute has dated the Luraville Locomotive to the early 1850s, making it one of the oldest surviving steam engines in the United States. The engine is believed to have initially pulled passenger cars but was transitioned into a logging locomotive after being purchased by a lumber company in North Florida.

The marker provides an on-site story of the 10-ton engine, which is named in honor of the hometown of James Lancaster. Lancaster led the team that salvaged the engine from the bottom of the Suwannee River in 1979.