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

Ferry Boats

-Circa 1912-

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 23, 2024

1. Ferry Boats Marker

Inscription. Ferries were the lifelines of the Florida Keys during the last century. Henry Flagler relied on these vessels both to build the Over-Sea Railroad, which stretched 156 miles from the mainland to Key West, and to carry his train cars over 90 miles of open ocean to Cuba. In 1935, a devastating hurricane hit the Middle Keys, wiping out the railroad. Ferries filled the transportation gap that occurred between the time the railroad was destroyed and the Overseas Highway was completed.

Key West Historic Marker
Free Audio Tour Call: 305-507-0300

Erected by Key West Historic Seaport. (Marker Number 76.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.

Location. 24° 33.752′ N, 81° 47.956′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from Grinnell Street west of Caroline Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Grinnell St, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys.

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It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome to Key West's Historic Seaport! (here, next to this marker); Flagler's Train Terminal (within shouting distance of this marker); The Steamplant (within shouting distance of this marker); The Railroad that Died at Sea (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Legacy of Henry Morrison Flagler (about 500 feet away); The Maggie Atwell House (about 500 feet away); Key West Electric Company (about 500 feet away); Turtle Kraals Museum (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 23, 2024

2. Ferry Boats Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.