| Text of sign with mispellings: MULBERRY AND THE OLD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE By Richard Fifer In April 2012, the remains of an old steam locomotive was found on the former site of the now bankrupt Mulberry Phosphates, Inc., less than two miles east of Mulberry. The locomotive was later identified as a standard-gauge 4-4-0 locomotive, of the type commonly called “American Standard”. It is believed that this locomotive was built in ca. 1880 by the Manchester Locomotive Works of Manchester, New Hampshire. It is a “road engine”, with 60-inch drive wheels, and not ideally suited to being used as a switch engine in and around the phosphate mines. However, to save money, the phosphate mining companies often bought and used previously-owned road engines . . . It can be concluded that the old locomotive once belonged to the International Agricultural Corporation, a heritage company of the Mosaic Company. As the IAC converted to a totally electric railroad, it probably disposed of this old, worn-out steam locomotives at the site where it was found. It was likely disposed of and buried ca. 1925. Top right: Manchester locomotive ca. 1870. This locomotive would have appeared similiar to the locomotive featured in this exhibit. Bottom right: Photograph of wet phosphate rock being transported. The Mulberry Steam Locomotive would have pulled similiar product. |