The florida railroad was the first railroad to connect the east and west coasts of florida, running from fernandina to cedar key. By the 1960s, floridas railroads were almost exclusively used for freight and industrial shipments. We sat down to speak with seth bramson, the company historian for the florida east coast railway, for a fascinating discussion on what it took to crisscross the state with tracks, connecting cities long before cars were invented. The tampa southern railroad was a subsidiary of the atlantic coast line railroad originally running from uceta yard in tampa south to palmetto, bradenton, and sarasota with a later extension southeast to fort ogden in the peace river valley built shortly after. Key west extension, florida east coast railway, opened january 22, 1912. Alabama and gulf coast railway agr an railway an bay line railroad bayl csx transportation csxt first coast. It is safe to say that without railroads, florida wouldnt be what it is today. However, real development arrived after the civil war with lines eventually becoming of henry flaglers florida east coast railroad and henry plants plant system. 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. Florida railroads postcard history series by seth h. A history of floridas railroads stephanie murphylupo on. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Railroad maps, 1828 to 1900, available online, florida.
A journey into florida railroad history florida history and culture. Turners objective for this book was to give a short but inclusive history of the railroads of florida from their earliest beginnings in the 1800s to today. Floridas size and shape meant a largely remote interior until shortly before the civil war. Florida s railroad heritage began in the 1830s amidst native american upheaval and territorial colonization. The story of the florida east coast railway, is the companys official history. With sharp, evocative reporting, the book captures an era, the florida. Railroads connected the states important cities and towns, conquered the peninsulas vast and seemingly impenetrable interior, ushered in untold numbers of settlers and tourists, and conveyed to marketfaster than any previous means of transportationthe myriad products of floridas mines, forests, factories. Surpassing waterways as the primary mode of transport, the iron horse linked practically every town and city, carried tourists and locals, and ably conveyed the wealth of floridas mines, factories, forests, groves, and farms. This article is part of the history of rail transport by country series wooden railroads, called wagonways, were built in the united states starting from the 1720s. Henry flagler and the spectacular rise and fall of the r. 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. For those who have an interest in floridas railroads or streetcar lines chapter nine is the street and electric railways chapter i think you will enjoy this book greatly.
Although the period of reconstruction 18651877 had resulted in florida rejoining the united states, many floridians found themselves cut off from the rest of the country. A journey into florida railroad history florida history. Township map showing drainage, cities and towns, roads, trails, and location of two railroad lines in the northern part of the state. Zerfas for the research and compilation of the following articles. Between 1762 and 1764, at the close of the french and indian war 17561763, a gravity. Florida had few roads and needed to build more railroads. Gregg m turner a littleknown yet fascinating chapter of florida history an outstanding work. But, rail enthusiasts visiting florida dont have to arrive by train, they can ride the rails on shorter excursions offered by special rail lines, and explore railroad museums located throughout the state. Highway 1 in the florida keys and relive the history of the key west railroad. Elsewhere, the seach will be visibly opened after this button is selected.
As the only alternative to travel by oxen, wagon and horseback, florida developed some of the earliest railroads in the nation. The history of florida railroads began as early as 1834, when the tallahasseest. Last train from fernandina the train that departed fernandina under fire from a union gunship during the american civil war. Devotees of american railroad history will find this book both comprehensive and a delight to read. Outline history of central florida railroads book, 1997. A history of florida s railroads stephanie murphylupo on. As a fort myers resident, turner has a special fondness for the trains that opened florida to commerce and tourism, and one of his works on that topic, a journey into florida railroad history, was a 2008 florida book award bronzemedal winner for nonfiction.
The role of the federal government in the history of railroads in the united statesa historical overview acknowledgments. Navigate to the global search form search landmark. His continuing research in historic trails in north florida will soon result in his book the spanish road. 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. All aboard the florida east coast railway the new tropic. Josephlake wimico line was the first to be put into service, with trains operating between the boomtown of st. A journey into florida railroad history florida history and culture mr. It contains original scholarship and fresh interpretations that set the standard in railway research.
A short history of florida railroads ebook by gregg turner. Turner newest book furnishes the reader with a superb canvas of florida railroad history. In railroads of southwest florida, the golden age of railroading is documented with captivating images of stations, machines, and the people whose lives were affected by this significant form of transportation. Key west extension, florida east coast railway, opened january. The highway corridor of sr 24, us 301, and sr a1asr 200 closely parallels the former florida railroad.
A short history of florida railroads fl making of america. Henry flaglers quest to build an overseas railroad has all the elements of a. Railroads first came to florida in the 1860s with a line running from fernandina beach to cedar key. Read a short history of florida railroads by gregg turner available from rakuten kobo. 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. Although we think of the railroad as existing only by means of government subsidy, it should be noted that the early florida railroads. Railroad history in the united states is nearly as old as the country itself, dating back to the mid1820s. Johns river, he was captivated and built his first hotel.
A littleknown yet fascinating chapter of florida history an outstanding work. Being 1 from florida and 2 a rail fan, this book immediately caught my attention. As a result, finding books dedicated to florida railroading is a bit of a chore. Cover of the new florida railroads book in arcadias.
Florida s size and shape meant a largely remote interior until shortly before the civil war. 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. A short history of florida railroads by gregg turner. Map of the state of florida showing the progress of the surveys. The story of the florida east coast railway a thorough and engaging. Florida railroad history tracked to fgcu archives fgcu 360. It was one of many rail lines built during the florida land boom of the 1920s. Beginning in the 1980s, florida citizens, politicians, and business communities debated the development of highspeed railways to make travel between floridas major cities easier and less expensive.
A railroad was reportedly used in the construction of the french fortress at louisburg, nova scotia, in new france now canada in 1720. From interior views of wellfurnished passenger cars to scenes of hardworking men who made it all possible, this collection provides a. Later when he discovered florida, the historic and lovely st. The railroads were necessary in the rapid transportation of bulk goods and agricultural products that had to reach northern markets in a few days after harvesting. The lost town of iola and remnants of floridas pioneering. Following the current guidelines recommended by federal health officials, the florida historical society is closing to the public through april 30, the library of florida history, the brevard museum of history and natural science, and the rossetter house museum and gardens. Joseph, its railroads and environs, published in 1961 in the florida historical quarterly. Its full of interesting facts about florida history that go far beyond the railroad. Floridas railroad heritage began in the 1830s amidst native american. The greatest railroad story ever told flaglers legacy. The book is available direct from, the bramson archive, soon your local hobby shops, and, of course, online at.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The story of the railway across the florida keys all the way to key west is nothing short of astounding. The railroad network bolstered an old florida industry. It is a wellresearched and documented history of an exciting time in the exploration and development of florida that reads like a novel. Rails through the palmettos the first florida railroad.
This is one history book you will not want to put down. A brief history of floridas railroads parrish florida. Railroads and the military, thereunder by record group and type of records textual and. Henry flagler and the spectacular rise and fall of the railroad that crossed an ocean. Barbour rode a train from jacksonville to the end of the line out in the pine woods it was a bad trip. It may be said that, of the railroads built before the civil war, the florida railroad was of the greatest importance to the state of florida, for it served its true purpose of constituting a crossstate rail shipping route. A journey into florida railroad history book, 2008. Floridas railroad heritage began in the 1830s amidst native american upheaval and territorial colonization. As we know, this great nation would not have grown and prospered as it did without the railroads, which brought together the young country and allowed for unprecedented prosperity. Floridas railroads emerged in the 1830s amid native american upheaval and territorial colonization. Their iron horses transported peoplerich northern tourists. Dont have publication date yet but will let you know soon as i do.
A social studies resource for students and teachers. Surpassing waterways as the primary mode of transport, the iron horse linked practically every town and city, carried tourists and locals, and ably conveyed the wealth of florida s mines, factories, forests, groves, and farms. A high school project culminated in his article mapping old st. 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. Published august 5th 2003 by broadway books first published september 1st. 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. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. Barbour who was not a member of our chamber of commerce recorded impressions in his book florida for tourists, invalids and settlers. The catalysts for blasting through that anonymity built railroads linking east to west and north to south.
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