Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Railroad that Died at Sea

Sails To Rails Museum at Flagler Station

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 5, 2023

1. The Railroad that Died at Sea Marker

Inscription.
The Labor Day Hurricane of Monday, September 2nd, 1935 was officially the most powerful hurricane ever to hit the United States. The storm bore sustained winds of 200 miles per hour with gusts up to 350 miles per hour and a barometric reading of 26.35, the lowest ever recorded in this hemisphere.

The width of the storm was approximately 40 miles but, although relatively small, little in its path survived. The storm hit the Matecumbe Keys at a time when there were approximately one thousand people in the area, including hundreds of World War I veterans who were working on a highway alongside the railroad line.

When word came that a storm was coming, the foreman of the workers wired the FEC office begging for an evacuation train. Due to delays and the engineer's decision to back the train down the tracks so he could make a speedy return, the train was delayed for several hours. When the train arrived and began loading evacuees, it was struck by a twenty-foot high wall of water caused by the storm surge. The water lifted up the entire train except for the 106-ton locomotive and washed it off the track.

The official death toll for the 1935 Hurricane is 408 but the real number could be closer to 800.

Ernest Hemingway visited the scene immediately after the storm and declared

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it to be, "The most horrifying thing I have ever seen." He vowed never to write about it.

Erected by Sails To Rails Museum at Flagler Station.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Environment • Notable Events • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is September 2, 1935.

Location. 24° 33.684′ N, 81° 47.985′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Caroline Street and Margaret Street. This marker is one of many historical markers located on the grounds of the Sails To Rails Museum at Flagler Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 Caroline Street, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Maggie Atwell House (a few steps from this marker); Southern Terminus the Over-Sea Railway (a few steps from this marker); Henry Morrison Flagler (within shouting distance of this marker); Industry Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Turtle Kraals Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Turtle Kraals Museum (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pepe’s Café (about 400 feet away); Thompson's Fish House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 5, 2023

2. The Railroad that Died at Sea Marker

Also see . . . Sails To Rails At Flagler Station. (Submitted on May 27, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 27, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.