From the book, "The Planeters Railway" by Paul Harncourt. The Sixth Stockholders meeting held at Huntsville on 1 March 1856- On March 8 the M & C reached Stephenson and a link up with the N & C, giving the M & C an outlet to the sea, and by 17 December passenger service to Huntsville had been accomplished. Brick houses were built in Huntsville for employees. A hotel was built in Huntsville, The "Venerable Hotel". An N & C bridge over the Tennessee River burned having a major affect on the last days of laying rail into Stephenson.