When entrepreneur John Blue went into the timber and turpentine business in southeastern North Carolina in 1892, the region didn't have the railroad he needed to get his products to market. So, Mr. Blue began his own - the Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad Company - named for two of the communities along its line.
Over the years, forests gave way to farms, and the A & R changed as well, becoming a vital agricultural link to the outside world. It brought in fertilizers, grain, seed and farm equipment and took cotton, tobacco, grain, watermelons and peaches to market.
Today, the A & R continues to adapt to changing times. It provides quality, responsive rail service at competitive rates to the growing number of Fortune 500 manufacturing companies attracted to the region because of its highly favorable business climate.
While many things have changed for the A & R over past 100 years, two things have been constant. The A & R continues to be owned and operated by the Blue family, and their emphasis remains on first class personal service.
