Where possible this history will be presented in chronological order. Read about the creation of the seven mile bridge, the keynoter newspaper, the dolphin research center. This is a book that anyone will enjoy whether you are interested in railroads or not. The florida overseas railroad, also known as the key west extension of the florida east coast railway, was heavily damaged and partially destroyed in the labor day hurricane of 1935. Hidden history on the florida keys, a new volume penned by laura albritton and upper keys historian jerry wilkinson, reveals seldomtold tales of the lively and unusual cast of historic figures who helped shape the florida keys from the 1820s through the 1960s. I find this to be neat because the kids history books dont say anything at all. In particular, the treasure hunting and key west historic preservation chapters were eyeopening and informative as well as the first two chapters that give a historical point of view of what.
The book also chronicles the adventures of early settlers and the subsequent tourism boom. A brief history of floridas railroads parrish florida. Florida east coast railway passenger train traveling on the long key viaduct in. Construction to link the isolated islands to the mainland began in 1905 when oil tycoon henry flagler envisioned key west as an ideal deepwater port for trade with cuba, latin america. Its full of interesting facts about florida history that go far beyond the railroad. We learned about flagler and his involvement with standard oil and his obsession with building a rail connection to key west. The book goes on to document the hurricane of 1935, that destroyed the florida keys part of that railroad. Island ghost town detailing flaglers folly in building the overseas railroad. We will highlight the key developments and advances made in rail technology, and place these in historical context. Prior to the 20th century many ships were wrecked around the southern end of the florida peninsula. Following is a summary of the known history of grassy key.
However, thanks to his efforts florida developed into the paradise that it is today. The story behind the abandoned florida keys overseas railroad. The true story of the most intense hurricane youve never. I highly suggest this book, and i hope to get a chance to drive to key. Flaglers train is a one hour documentary, produced by wpbt2, which. Despite the hardships, and the engineering challenges, the oversea railroad, the final link of the florida east coast railway, was completed on january 22, 1912, just weeks after flaglers 82nd birthday. The fec is possibly best known for building the railroad to key west, completed in 1912. The early history of key west, florida is that of a long and illustrious variety. Flagler and a party of 7 men inspecting the work on the railroad on stock island on february 8, 1906. Despite the hardships, and the engineering challenges, the oversea railroad, the final link of the florida east coast railway, was completed on january 22.
All books set in florida keys on the global book map. The story behind the abandoned florida overseas railroad. Key west history jan 18, 1912 the filming of flaglers. Approximately people lived in the area because the florida keys had yet to become a major destination point. The story behind the abandoned florida keys overseas railroad the story behind the abandoned florida keys overseas railroad if you live in florida, youre probably familiar with some of oil tycoon henry m. The florida keys railroad was destroyed during a tragic hurricane. Railroad maps, 1828 to 1900, available online, florida. He is americas single mostpublished florida history book author, with. Alabama and gulf coast railway agr an railway an bay line railroad bayl csx transportation csxt first coast railroad.
From the early wreckers and pineapple farmers who first settled the island, to the hurricanes and henry flaglers oversea railroad that have come to define it, key largo is a moving collection of images and stories that bring to life some of the history of the largest of florida s keys, key largo. The overseas railroad was an extension of the florida east coast railway to key west, a city. History of the santa fes peavine and associated lines in. Watch overseas highway full episode modern marvels history. Although several people had considered constructing a railroad to key west beginning. Apr 11, 2014 photos via monroe county public library over a hundred years ago, the first train to cross the overseas railroad, technically known as the key west extension of henry flaglers florida east.
The florida east coast railroad s key west extension. On upper matecumbe key, near islamorada, an elevencar evacuation train encountered a powerful storm surge topped by cresting waves. In january 1814 key bacas and the adjacent keys were granted to francisco ferreira by the spanish governor, sebastian kindelan. Therefore, before about 1908 the area existed under some other name. Construction to link the isolated islands to the mainland began in 1905 when oil tycoon henry flagler envisioned key west as an ideal deepwater port for trade with cuba, latin america and ships passing through the panama canal. Flaglers work including the florida keys overseas railroad. Todays masonry building is built around the wood original. Florida east coast railway overseas railroad relief train derailed near islamorada, florida, during the 1935 labor day hurricane. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Photo from the library of congress taken in january 1938 by arthur rothstein, courtesy of florida keys public libraries. Hard to find these keys with any type of markings and this one comes from a longtime rio grande family of several generations of employees. Our new book the florida keys a history through maps is available for purchase now the first copies have arrived at our naples office, 3584 exchange ave.
It was a railroad that, hopping from island to island, spanned an ocean to reach. Back in the early 1900s, florida was a popular winter destination for the upper crust, and some of the florida s most extravagant works of architecture were. Weve sold a few pieces in the past like this, except it was blocklettering as opposed to script lettering, like this piece has. It is the exclusive rail provider for portmiami, port everglades and port of palm beach. The florida keysa history through maps covers the creation of the keys archipelago chain, the native american indians who once ruled them, the spanish who discovered them, the pioneers who farmed them, and, eventually, the railroad men and developers who sculpted the land, connecting the many individual islands with causeways and bridges. The railroad down the entire florida keys to key west was a monumental task. Two duelists, spurred by an illicit romance, survived an 1829 exchange of pistol shots on a key west beach. Trade between ports like new orleans and those to the northeast no longer had to be routed around the florida keys. Brush up on treasure coast, florida history with these books. The train was greeted by cheering crowds and represented the signs of a new economic era for the florida keys.
However, real development arrived after the civil war with lines eventually becoming of henry flaglers florida east coast railroad and henry plants plant system. A spectacular roadway nearly 120 miles long, the overseas highway links mainland florida with the florida keys, and contains 51 bridges, including the sevenmile bridge. History buffs will enjoy the extensive info but there are plenty of visuals to. Flaglers train the florida keys oversea railroad pbs. Sep 07, 2017 the wreckage of an 11car passenger train is shown in the florida keys in september 1935 after the train was derailed by a hurricane that claimed the lives of more than 400 people. Johns river, he was captivated and built his first hotel.
Completed in 1912, the overseas railroad was heavily damaged and partially destroyed in the 1935 labor day hurricane. Railroad tycoon henry flagler built his impossible railroad that went to sea, and wealthy visitors traveled to vacation in the keys. Keys railroad that went to sea to mark 100th anniversary. You can drop by for your copy during business hours or order online today. His railroad extended to homestead by 1904, and after that he began work on connecting the entire florida keys. A railroad across the northern end of the florida peninsula would allow cargoes from ships in the gulf of. Last train to paradise by les standiford is the true story of henry flagler and his great railroad adventure. From 1905 to 1912 flagler built a rail line linking jacksonville to miami 366 miles and from miami to key west. Smith, the nickel boys by colson whitehead, the warrior by frank g.
The discovery center, on the property of the islander resort, is open wednesdays through sundays, 10 a. Perfect recap of key west history and flaglers railway. This video tells the life and death of the florida east coast railroad s key west extension in old black and white photos from the backaround music is. By 1908, the railroad had connected homestead to marathon. In 1935, the great labor day hurricane struck the islands, destroying much of the florida keys, and flaglers railroad. The railroad also offered florida residents the opportunity to see parts of their state that they had never been able to explore before, linking many communities with a common connection through a rural state. At one time during construction, four thousand men. Flagler is second from the right on his left is william d. Back in the early 1900s, florida was a popular winter destination for the upper crust, and some of the floridas most extravagant works of architecture were commissioned by flagler himself. Later when he discovered florida, the historic and lovely st. Florida keys a celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of the completion of the florida keys oversea railroad, once lauded as the most unique railway in the world, is under way in the florida keys.
Release of new book the florida keys a history through. Township map showing drainage, cities and towns, land grants, and land for sale shown in yellow. Although several people had considered constructing a railroad to key west. The personalities, both famous and infamous, who shaped the island include explorers and entrepreneurs, artists and privateers and smugglers and military leaders. Sit back, relax and read while stuck at home during this time of social distancing to prevent the spread. Highway 1 from key largo to key west, combining the best of local legendcolorful stories you wont find in other guidebookswith insightful commentary and the most uptodate. The florida east coast railway fec is a class ii regional railroad that owns all of the 351mile mainline track from jacksonville, fl down to miami. Overseas railroad and pigeon key big pine key, florida. Overseas railroad and pigeon key big pine key, florida atlas. The florida keysa history through maps island map publishing. Bramson reveals how the key west extension of the flaglerowned fec became the greatest railroad engineering and construction feat in u. Over a hundred years ago, the first train to cross the overseas railroad, technically known as the key west extension of henry flaglers florida east coast railway, chugged into key west. The florida east coast railway reporting mark fec is a class ii railroad operating in the u. Crosscountry adventures on americas twolane highways.
The overseas railroad also known as florida overseas railroad, the overseas extension, and flaglers folly was an extension of the florida east coast railway to key west, a city located 128 miles 206 km beyond the end of the florida peninsula. Hidden history of the florida keys is a great book on the florida keys. Large parts of it were built on the former rightofway of the overseas railroad, the key west extension of the florida east coast railway. Peters is the oldest black anglican church in the diocese of south florida. Wreck and reef fishing is very productive in the waters around key west. The book combines a very good biography of mister flagler and his building of a railroad, primarily down the east coast of florida, and then through the florida keys. The waters just north of the lower keys are shallow and hold tarpon, bonefish, permit, shark and barracuda. Railroads first came to florida in the 1860s with a line running from fernandina beach to cedar key. Flagler station oversea railway historeum key west. Vaca is the spanish word for cow, and it is thought that the island was named for the manatees or sea cows that lived in abundance there.
New book turns its focus on middle keys photo history fl. The story of the railway across the florida keys all the way to key west is. No doubt it had a location name used by the early native americans. General map shows connections to southern and gulf states. Fly fishermen from all over the world come to the florida keys to saltwater fly fish. The shipping route between the east coast and gulf coast of the united states passes through the straits of florida, close to the florida reef that lies just off the florida keys. Discover overseas railroad and pigeon key in big pine key, florida. During the seven years of construction, five hurricanes threatened to halt the project with three causing major damage. A brief history of floridas railroads florida railroad museum. Highway 1 from key largo to key west, combining the best of local. Highway 1 from key largo to key west, combining the best of local legendcolorful stories you wont find in other guidebookswith insightful commentary and the most uptodate advice. Henry flagler rode victoriously into key west on the first train in 1912. Highway 1 in the florida keys and relive the history of the key west railroad. The construction of the overseas railway linking the florida keys to the mainland was the last major project undertaken by pioneering florida.
Just south of marathon, stop at the pigeon key visitor center in the vintage red flagler railway car. Prior to transferring florida to the united states in 1821, spain made numerous land grants to her loyalists. Henry flagler and the spectacular rise and fall of the railroad that crossed an ocean les standiford. If you live in florida, youre probably familiar with some of oil tycoon henry m. This church was founded in 1876 by freed blacks from georgia, alabama and north florida who had come to the keys to work on henry flaglers railroad. You quickly learn how the author interweaves the human impact into the story. The last train to paradise is a really good history book about henry flagler, who played a huge role in the development of modern day florida. The greatest railroad story ever told flaglers legacy. Photos via monroe county public library over a hundred years ago, the first train to cross the overseas railroad, technically known as the key west extension of henry flaglers florida east. Read about the creation of the seven mile bridge, the keynoter newspaper, the dolphin research center, the turtle hospital, and much, much more. Back in the early 1900s, florida was a popular winter destination for the upper crust, and some of the floridas most extravagant works of architecture were.
Henry flagler and the spectacular rise and fall of a railroad that crossed an ocean was a captivating book by les standiford of robber baron henry flagler, partner with john d rockefeller in the founding of standard oil. History florida east coast railway florida east coast. Mar 25, 2020 brush up on treasure coast, florida history with these classic books while stuck at home. This is the florida keys, and the very thought conjures up images of knockout sunsets, tangy key lime pie, water sports, relaxation, good timesand ernest hemingway, arguably the most famous person associated with key west. These ww1 vintage keys were generally used on coaches but also had their fair share of use on caboose doors as well. The warm and sunny winter climate, with average highs in the middle 70s f 24 c and lows above 60 f 15 c, is the main tourist season in the florida keys. The florida keys overseas railway morning sun books. Work on the line started in 1905 and it operated from 1912 to 1935, when it was partially destroyed by the labor day hurricane. Florida keys henry flaglers railroad nearly came to a halt at knights key during a twoyear dispute with the u. From the days when wreckers plied the florida reef to coming of the overseas railroad, the middle florida keys have experienced a fascinating history.
The florida east coast railway was financially unable to rebuild the destroyed sections, and the line was cut back to florida city. The wreckage of an 11car passenger train is shown in the florida keys in september 1935 after the train was derailed by a hurricane that claimed the lives of more than 400 people. The last train to paradise is a really good history book about henry flagler, who. Marathon on key vaca the first historical mention of key vaca is its appearance on a spanish map of the keys in the 1500s. Front cover for the book the railroad that died at sea. In this lesson we will learn about florida railroad history. Museum, event space florida keys history discovery center. Acclaimed novelist and florida resident joy williams traces u. A new sectional map of florida issued by the land department of the south florida r. Sounds like a perfect new england setting, doesnt it. A new pictorial history of marathon and the middle keys traces the communitys growth from the earliest known settlers, through its overseas railroad era.
Now put that into perspective with the great hurricane of labor day, 1935. I learned many things that i didnt know about before reading the book. The story behind floridas abandoned overseas railroad will boggle your mind if you live in florida, youre probably familiar with some of oil tycoon henry m. Dec 30, 2011 florida keys a celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of the completion of the florida keys oversea railroad, once lauded as the most unique railway in the world, is under way in the florida keys. The fourth volume in this acclaimed history of arizona railroads covers the construction and operation of the santa fe main line across northern arizona. The fec was historically a class i railroad owned by florida east coast industries feci from 2000 to 2016, foxx holdings between 1983 and 2000, and the st. The reason for this was that egress out of the florida keys was limited to the railroad, boat, or ferry. The story behind florida s abandoned overseas railroad will boggle your mind if you live in florida, youre probably familiar with some of oil tycoon henry m.
Sep 08, 2017 the true story of the most intense hurricane youve never heard of how one mistake led to a harrowing race to save hundreds of men trapped in the florida keys. Anyone interested in railroad history or florida history will enjoy this book, but particularly for those whose enthusiasm is railroad construction, the florida east coast railway, or the florida keys, this is a satisfying complement to other books on the topic, and a fascinating history in its own right. Key west is the driest city in florida, and most of the florida keys can become quite dry at the height of the dry season. Main map covers floria and vicinity and indicates drainage, cities and towns, township and county boundaries, railroads, and the land grant in central florida. For an introduction, marathon, like many of the lower, middle and upper keys communities, bears a railroad name. A rescue train dispatched by the florida east coast railroad was swept off.
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