The Jacksonville and Atlantic Railroad Company was incorporated under the general incorporation laws of Florida for the purpose of constructing, maintaining and operating a railroad for public use in the conveyance of persons and property, from the south bank of the river St. Johns opposite the city of Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, to a point on the Atlantic, at or near section 33, township 2, south, range 29, east. Florida state law chapter 3640, approved January 29, 1885, gave the company enlarged powers, including running boats across the St. Johns River.
The company was owned by John Q. Burbridge, J. J. Daniel, James M. Schumacher, H. S. Ely, F. F. L'engle, S. B. Hubbard, M. M. Drew, P. McQuaid, W. T. Forbes and W. A. McDuff.