During the late 1800's and early 1900's railroads were the favorite form of passenger transportation for traveling both short and long distances. Also the railroads hauled practically all the inland freight and brought all the supplies needed by people who lived in the town along the tracks. The manufacturing of lumber provided the main source of work and income for the people of the towns located along these railroads. Naval stores, the farming of pine forests for rosin and turpentine, was also a livelihood for many workers. Farming for profit was not yet prevalent in extreme northwest Florida.
Escambia County, Florida, in these early days had two main line railroads. The Gulf-Florida and Alabama (which later became the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad, and now, the Burlington Northern Railroad) ran along the western border of Escambia County. On the eastern side of the county, along the Escambia River, was the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (which later became the Seaboard Coast Line and now, the CSX Railroad). Along the L&N Railroad, in the middle of Escambia County, was the town of Molino. (1)
