Mann Junction

From 1905 to 1907, this was a junction between two separate railroads. The Mobile & Western was the private road of the Robert K. Mann Lumber Company, which officially began operation in 1906, just days before the arrival of the devastating hurricane that wiped out their source of income. By 1912, the M&BS had purchased the M&W from the holding company, rebuilt all of the trackage to Dawes, and established it as the Dawes Branch. It was probably through this line that the proposed connection with Pascagoula, Mississippi was intended.

In this photograph, the road heading east-west at an angle and across the two railroads would become Higgins Road. The Bay Shore mainline from the crossing northward would become Shipyard Road.

It is believed the station sat between the two railroad lines, at the Higgins Road crossing, on the north side of the crossing.

The image at far right shows the Dawes Branch ROW as it was drawn in 1915 by the ICC during its survey of the road.

Originally known as Dog River Station, the image at left shows Mann Station, near the present-day Rangeline Road overpass at the CSX mainline, as it appeared in 1915. The station's floor plans are said to be identical with those of the station at Coden, and the roof lines do match an early photograph of that station. Coden underwent a renovation, probably required after the 1906 hurricane, where its roof was altered. There is no indication at present that Mann station was renovated in a similar manner during its life.

The ICC documents show Mann Station had a construction date of 1908, which is one year after Mann Lumber declared bankrupcy, but four years before the M&O purchased the track and ROW from Union Naval Stores. This suggests, but has yet to be confirmed, that the Bay Shore and the M&O exercised some operational control over the Mobile & Western Railroad for at least a portion of that time.