The East Carolina Land and Railway Company was chartered by Craven County, North Carolina, and the city of New Bern in 1887 to construct a  rail line connecting New Bern with Jacksonville, North Carolina. $60,000 was asked for the rail line from the county, plus an additional $40,000 to extend the rail line to either Washington, Greenville, or Pantego.
In 1887, the East Carolina Land and Railway Company obtained permission from Craven County, North Carolina, and New Bern city to build a rail line connecting New Bern with Jacksonville. The county demanded $60,000 for the rail line, while an extra $40,000 was required to extend it to Washington, Greenville, or Pantego.