Railroad
The railroad has played a vital role in the history of Annapolis. The St. Louis-Iron Mountain Railroad was completed on February 23, 1871 and became a valuable means of transportation, mail delivery, and freight hauling. It would be 50 years until State Highway 49 was built through Annapolis. The Annapolis depot closed in May of 1969, bringing an end to the rails as a means of transportation for Annapolis residents. Freight trains still pass through Annapolis, many stopping at SGI to pick up loads of granite used to manufacture roofing shingles. Although you can no longer board the train in Annapolis, Amtrak passenger trains travel through the town today.Annapolis is an incorporated city in Iron County at latitude 37.36 and longitude -90.698. The elevation is 653 feet, appearing on the Des Arc U.S. Geological Survey Map. Population=287; land area=0.36 sq. miles; water area= 0.01 sq. miles; population density=799.44 people per sq. mile according to the US Census Bureau estimate of July 1, 2009. South Iron R-1 School is located in Annapolis. The town of Annapolis was homesteaded in the 1850s.HISTORY/ABOUT US
McMurray's sawmill, early 1900s.
Timber
Early settlers hailed from Tennessee, Kentucky, Germany, and Sweden. Early names for the community were Allen, Big Lick, and Jackson's Mill. According to record, a resident named Thomas Allen founded Annapolis and filed the plat of the town on March 30, 1871. By 1876, the town's population had increased to 60 residents. Throughout the 1880s, the population remained about 300; however, by 1891, records indicate that 500 people resided in Annapolis. It was that year that Annapolis was officially incorporated into a village. As the 20th century arrived, the population of Annapolis was more than 700.Now
The timber industry has played a role in Annapolis' economy since the first settlers arrived in the mid-1800s. It is likely that there has never been a time when at least one sawmill wasn't operating in the area. This photo is McMurray's Sawmill in the early 1900s. Today there are multiple mills operating in the area. The timber industry employs many people and helps support the local economy.Annapolis Train Depot