Statesboro gained its first railroad when the Dover and Statesboro was announced on February 28, 1889, and completed nine months later on November 16, 1889. Built with money raised through stock subscriptions from more than 80 individuals, including major contributors such as S.F. Olliff, B.E. Turner, T.H. Potter, W.W. Olliff, Blitch Jones Co., Charles Pretorius, W.H. Blitch, D.R. Groover, and J.A. Brannen, the line ran 10 miles with stops at Rev. Jasper Wilson's Place, Cail's Place, Clito, and Deal's Place. Clito emerged between Statesboro and Dover after the D&S Railway arrived in 1889, and the McDougald-Outland naval stores operations there included a general store, a turpentine distillery, and a cotton gin, while the company also owned about 1,185 acres of farmland outside Dover. In 1894, Statesboro's first long-distance telephone service was carried over open wires on cross arms and poles along the railroad right-of-way, later replaced with lead cables when the service was converted to a dial system, and long-distance service was later connected to Southern Bell in Savannah after the Savannah and Statesboro Railroad was built. The railroad also supported recreation and excursions: J.F. Fields established a six-acre park at Mill Creek for parties and dancing, with round-trip train fare from Statesboro costing ten cents, and opening festivities on June 20, 1896 featured music, races, croquet grounds, swings, and a building for speaking, while a June 1897 picnic advertisement promoted other games and invited church people because there would be no dancing. The D&S existed for only four years, and on July 6, 1893, financial trouble led to its sale to Fred T. Lockhart, representing an Augusta syndicate, but Bulloch County residents used the line to connect with the Central of Georgia in Dover for shopping and business trips to Savannah, excursions to Tybee for two dollars round trip, and outings to the Ogeechee River for fishing parties and picnics.