Who built the first railroad in the Florida Keys?
Flagler
In the early 1900s Flagler, affiliated with John D. Rockefeller in the Standard Oil Company, conceived and oversaw the construction of the Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad, paving the way for the Keys’ evolution into the destination that is internationally recognized today.
When was the railroad built in the Florida Keys?
1912
At any given time, there were more than 4,000 men working to build the railroad. During construction, three hurricanes passed through the keys. The railroad was finally complete in 1912 and was called the 8th wonder of the world.
What happened to railroad to Key West?
Demise. Much of the Overseas Railroad in the Middle Keys was heavily damaged and partially destroyed in the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, a Category 5 hurricane which is often called “The Storm of the Century”. The storm killed more than 400 people and devastated Long Key and adjacent areas.
Why was the railroad built to Key West?
In 1905, the industrialist decided to extend the Florida East Coast Railway beyond Miami, all the way to Key West. He hoped to profit from this more than 100-mile extension by having the best available access to Cuba and the proposed Panama Canal.
How many keys are in Key West?
800 keys
In the region known as the Florida Keys, there are 800 keys in total, and they stretch over 180 miles. There are 42 bridges connecting all the Florida Keys islands. The longest bridge, Seven Mile Bridge, is 35,716 feet long, and it connects the mainland of Florida to the Florida Keys.
What city did the Flagler railroad end in?
Palm Beach
Palm Beach was to be the terminus of the Flagler railroad, but during 1894 and 1895, severe freezes hit all of Central Florida, whereas the Miami area remained unaffected, causing Flagler to rethink his original decision not to move the railroad south of Palm Beach.
What happened to the Flagler fortune?
Henry Flagler died in 1913, and passed the majority of his wealth on to Mary Lily.