Lower Keys Chamber Of Commerce

31020 Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key FL 33043

Phone: 305-872-2411
Fax: 305-872-0752
Email: [email protected]

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Description:
The Lower Keys were sparsely settled in the early to mid 1800's. Mosquitoes and lack of any particular way of making a living made it difficult to homestead this area. At the same time, Key West had a population of 18,000, making it the largest city in Florida. Some well to do Key Westers had country homes 30 miles east in the Lower Keys and all sailed by boat to their second homes. Although sparsely inhabited today, small lower Keys like No Name and Little Pine had substantial settlements. Many brave settlers survived in the Lower Keys by producing charcoal, farming, fishing and sponging. Back in 1905, a feed sack of coal netted 10 cents.

With the fulfilled lifelong dream of Henry Flagler and the Overseas Railroad, a successful Lower Keys settlement could be realized. This link with the mainland was the culmination of 7 years of extremely hard work. Over 500 railroad workers, as well as most of Flagler's fortune, were claimed by this project. The train ran from its completion in 1912 until 1935 when the great Labor Day hurricane destroyed it. The railroad left many remnants of its existence in the Lower Keys. Water towers, sumps, sinkholes and sections of the railway bridges are still evident.

After the hurricane, damage to the railway was so great, the entire railroad system was sold to the State of Florida and they built the Overseas Highway. This highway incorporated a ferry system as well. During this time in Keys history, travel time from Key Largo to Key West could take over 7 hours for the 118 mile stretch.