Islamadora in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Florida Keys Memorial
Photographed By Julie Szabo, August 16, 2007
1. The Florida Keys Memorial Marker
Inscription.
The Florida Keys Memorial, known locally as the “Hurricane Monument,” was built to honor hundreds of American veterans and local civilians who perished in the “Great Hurricane” on Labor Day, September 2, 1935. Islamadora sustained winds of 200 miles per hour and a barometer reading of 26.35 inches for several hours on that fateful holiday; most local buildings and the Florida East Coast Railway were destroyed by what remains the most savage hurricane on record. Hundreds of World War I veterans who had been camped in the Matecumbe area while working on the construction of U.S. Highway One for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were killed. In 1937 the cremated remains of approximately 300 people were placed within the tiled crypt in front of the monument. The monument is composed of native keystone, and its striking frieze depicts coconut palm trees bending before the force of hurricane winds while the waters from an angry sea lap at the bottom of their trunks. Monument construction was funded by the WPA and regional veterans’ associations. Over the years the Hurricane Monument has been cared for by local veterans, hurricane survivors, and descendants of the victims.
The Florida Keys Memorial, known locally as the “Hurricane Monument,” was built to honor hundreds of American veterans and local civilians who perished in the “Great Hurricane” on Labor Day, September 2, 1935. Islamadora sustained winds of 200 miles per hour and a barometer reading of 26.35 inches for several hours on that fateful holiday; most local buildings and the Florida East Coast Railway were destroyed by what remains the most savage hurricane on record. Hundreds of World War I veterans who had been camped in the Matecumbe area while working on the construction of U.S. Highway One for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were killed. In 1937 the cremated remains of approximately 300 people were placed within the tiled crypt in front of the monument. The monument is composed of native keystone, and its striking frieze depicts coconut palm trees bending before the force of hurricane winds while the waters from an angry sea lap at the bottom of their trunks. Monument construction was funded by the WPA and regional veterans’ associations. Over the years the Hurricane Monument has been cared for by local veterans, hurricane survivors, and descendants of the victims.
Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters
Location. 24° 55.023′ N, 80° 38.165′ W. Marker is in Islamadora, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker is on U.S. 1, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Islamorada FL 33036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding The Florida Keys Memorial. Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway dispatched a rescue train to pick
Photographed By Julie Szabo, August 16, 2007
2. The Florida Keys Memorial Marker
up the road workers; however it was blown off the tracks by the storm surge except for its engine, “Old 447.”
Also see . . . The Florida Keys Memorial. (Submitted on May 13, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, November 5, 2019
3. The Florida Keys Memorial marker and surrounding area.
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, May 11, 2015
4. Close-up of Memorial
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, May 11, 2015
5. The Florida Keys Memorial with Flag
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, May 11, 2015
6. Bronze marker on the front of the Memorial
Dedicated To the memory of the civilians and war veterans whose lives were lost in the hurricane of September second, 1935
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, May 11, 2015
7. Meditation area
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2007, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,692 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2007, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. 3. submitted on November 5, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 13, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.