Columbus Square

The Columbus Square historical marker reads: "Near this point the Darien and Western Railroad reached its terminus in 1895 after six years of construction. Trains arrived daily at Columbus Square then turned around for a return trip to Tattnall County. The D&W later became the Georgia Coast & Piedmont and a depot was built in 1914 at the Darien waterfront, when the rail line was extended to Brunswick. Until then, Columbus Square was the transportation hub of Darien." Another Historical Marker reads: "In 1889, the Darien Shortline Railroad was organized to transport yellow pine timber to the Darien sawmills from Georgia's interior. Originating in Tattnall County and continuing through Liberty County, the Darien & Western line was completed in 1895 to its terminus near this site where a passenger depot was built, now marked by the gazebo. In 1906, the line was bought by the Georgia Coast & Piedmont Railroad, which extended the line 18 miles south to Brunswick in 1914. The train depot was then moved from Columbus Square to the riverfront near the present U.S. Highway 17 bridge. The depot burned in 1971."