Holm, bad monkey by carl hiaasen, loves rescue by christine johnson, summertime by vane. Some of the more exposed vegetation in the keys is scrub, stunted due to the intense sun, quick draining sandy soil, and arid winter climate. Bramson reveals how the key west extension of the flaglerowned fec became the greatest railroad engineering and construction feat in u. Railroad locks and keys june 1998 edition open library. Discover what history books have left untold as ruthless spanish explorers lay waste to the indians of south america and war with the florida calusa.
If you live in florida, youre probably familiar with some of oil tycoon henry m. A a plain s, like on the key shown, means it is a switch key. He serves on the board of directors of the key west maritime historical society and is a frequent lecturer on keys history. The basic story of the overseas railway to key west, an extension of the florida east coast railway, has been told before, from the early dream of henry flagler, to completion of railroad construction nea. They have a number of regional chapters, many that have their own web sites. Flagler, cofounder of standard oil and father of miami, posed this question to his chief aide, joseph r. Most switch locks were made of brass until the world war i era, when steel locks began to predominate. Yulee, a florida resident and united states senator, incorporated the florida railroad company in 1853.
A lifelong interest in history and a deep love for the florida keys led him to research and write keys history stories for local newspapers and magazines. With parrotts affirmation, flagler embarked upon an ambitious, unprecedented engineering feat to connect key west, miles south of miami, with. 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. Construction of the line began at fernandina beach in 1856 and was completed to cedar key in 1861, covering a distance of 155 miles. Other arcadia books he has authored include a short history of florida railroads, railroads of southwest florida, venice, florida in the 1920s, and fort myers in vintage postcards. The florida railroad was the first railroad to connect the east and west coasts of florida, running from fernandina to cedar key.
This category also contains tools and items used by repairmen working for the railroads such as dustpans, oil cans, and railroad marked tin drinking cups. Historic florida railroad florida historical markers on. Overseas railroad and pigeon key big pine key, florida. Antique railroad switch lock keys value guide antique. In order to maintain smooth operations the railroads were big on security and many locks and keys have survived that were used to lock everything from railway switches to cabinets. The water 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. 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. 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. In the great railroad revolution, renowned railroad expert christian wolmar tells the extraordinary story of the rise and the fall of the greatest of all american endeavors, and argues that the time has come for america to reclaim and celebrate its oftenoverlooked rail heritage. Antique steel railroad key adlake lock up rr no 1 switch.
The company was originally founded in rock island, illinois, and the railroad was popularized in the song rock island line. The line later became part of the seaboard air line railroad, and, where still in use, is operated by csx transportation and the first coast railroad. History states the encounters were diplomatic by nature but was it simply, southern greed. Work on the line started in 1905 and it operated from 1912 to 1935, when it was partially destroyed by the labor day hurricane. Some other organizations are of special interest to those interested in railroad memorabilia and history. In the winter of 188485 hundreds of northern visitors arrived in the region including thomas alva edison who decided to bring a prefab winter complete, complete with south floridas first swimming pool, to fort myers.
Author gregg turner is a former director of the railway and locomotive historical society at harvard business school. 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. However, real development arrived after the civil war with lines eventually becoming of henry flaglers florida east coast railroad and henry plants plant system. The florida keys a 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. It was a railroad that, hopping from island to island, spanned an ocean to reach. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Thus, we observe the possibility that, in this tragic and complex crisis of the souths history, the selfish and sinister designs of a few southern and northern capitalists helped to arouse the passions and honest prejudices of the american people.
The railroad that went to sea traveled over a large number of bridges in the 127 miles from florida city to key west, the longest one spanning 7 miles. Last train to paradise share book recommendations with. The story behind the abandoned florida keys overseas railroad. The florida railroad was the states first crosspeninsular railroad. Back in the early 1900s, florida was a popular winter destination for the upper crust, and some of the floridas most extravagant. The florida keys overseas railway by warren zeiller. The story behind the abandoned florida overseas railroad. Us 301, and sr a1a closely parallels the former florida railroad. These ww1 vintage keys were generally used on coaches but also had their fair share of use on caboose doors as well. Did you scroll all this way to get facts about railroad key. Meticulously researched and richly illustratedincluding many neverbeforepublished imagesa journey into florida railroad history is a comprehensive. The intrusion of disstons huge dredges in the caloosahatchee valley was a warning to the cattlemen that the days of the homesteaders were beginning.
As with locks, there are different styles of keys, but the majority of railroad keys were of a standard size made to fit a switch lock, with the bit customized to fit the particular locks of each railroad. Later when he discovered florida, the historic and lovely st. 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. Johns river, he was captivated and built his first hotel. Keys were an integral part of the railroad and are a major area of collecting for some folks who specialize only in keys. A short history of florida railroads making of america. Keys are usually stamped with a code that describes what they open.
If you have questions about our auction service or simply need more information please email us or call us at 303 5695185 thanks for visiting and we look forward to helping you complete your collections. The highway corridor of sr 24, us 301, and sr a1asr 200 closely parallels the former florida railroad. I also have a rare conductors box with two engineering licenses from 1865, and railroad maps from civil war era. The pursuit of gold can extract a heavy price, even more so once its found. An early collection of authentic obsolete railroad switch keys for sale.
Vintage brass railroad coach key 4 antique adlake railroad padlock no. Flaglers work including the florida keys overseas railroad. Collectors are always looking for different variations from the same roads. Keys for locks were used by employees to access any area, switch, or item that had been secured by a lock. He lived to see the first train arrive in key west, then died soon after. The northern pacific railroad, the sioux, and the panic of 1873 by m. 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. Early railroad switch padlocks and keys came in various styles, but became standardized in the late 19th century using this basic barrel design. Typically, keys were marked with a railroads name or initials an example is shown above. Slaymaker antique steel railroad 1963 lockbrass rivets s on the key hole cover. The book goes on to document the hurricane of 1935, that destroyed the florida keys part of that railroad.
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. The lines abandonment in 1980 ranks as the longest and most complicated in u. Buy a cheap copy of a journey into florida railroad history. The highway was rebuilt in the 1980s, and it now runs alongside some of the railway ruins, which florida has converted into fishing piers and walking paths called the florida keys overseas heritage trail. The key west extension was the dream and brainchild of henry flagler. Highway 1 in the florida keys and relive the history of the key west railroad. 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. If you do not receive an automated email purchase order confirming your order, please call 561 6552833. The florida east coast railway was financially unable to rebuild the destroyed sections, and the line was cut back to florida city. 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. His engaging illustrated narrative, accompanied by rich historic photographs, recounts floridas railway past from inception to modern times.
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