Islamorada in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Road and Ferry
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
1. Road and Ferry Marker
In April, 1926, Monroe County began construction of a road on the east end of Upper Matecumbe to connect with other islands. It eventually made it possible to drive to Key West by using a ferry.
The first car drove to Key West on Jan. 25 1928 by boarding a ferry here at today's Boy Scout Sea Base and crossing 40 miles of water to No Name Key.
Later the ferry docked at Grassy Key, traveling by road to the west end of today's Marathon. From there a ferry crossed to No Name Key.
It was on the Morning of March 9, 1938 that the daughter of the Cuban Council cut the ribbon opening the road without the ferries by using the widened railway bridges.
A toll booth was erected here to collect $1 for car and driver and 25 cents for each additional passenger. The toll was removed in 1954.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is March 9, 1591.
Location. 24° 50.86′ N, 80° 44.586′ W. Marker is in Islamorada, Florida, in Monroe County. It is on Overseas Highway, approximately Mile Marker 75, on the right when traveling south. Across Overseas Highway from Calusa Cove Marina. Just north of Anne's Beach Park and Channel #2. Marker is mounted on a coral rock on the side
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys. 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Highway Piers (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of Camp Three (approx. 0.4 miles away); Tea Table Key (approx. 5 miles away); San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve (approx. 5 miles away); Indian Key Historic State Park (approx. 5 miles away); Triangle of History (approx. 5.1 miles away); Juan Ponce de Leon (approx. 5.1 miles away); Rafters (approx. 5.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Islamorada.
Also see . . .
1. Florida Sea Base, Boy Scouts of America. Website homepage (Submitted on May 31, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida.)
2. History of the Overseas Highway. Keys History website entry (Submitted on May 31, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida.)
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
2. Road and Ferry Marker
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
3. South view toward Channel #2
History of the Overseas Highway
4. Keys ferryboat
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
5. Old railroad bridge from modern Overseas Highway bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 31, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
