THE LOPIN GOPHER RAILROAD

George M. Cole and John E. Ladson III Aucilla Research Institute   The area around the lower Aucilla was isolated and remote during the early days of statehood. U.S. Highway 98 was not built until the early 1950s, the closest city of any size was 23 miles away, and the few connecting roads were hardly more than poorly maintained trails. By the 1930’s some dependable access was provided by the Live Oak, Perry and Gulf Railroad which crossed the Aucilla River at Mandalay and was inte