To connect Florida to other industrial networks, he envisioned a grand railroad, eventually known as the Florida East Coast Railway. Visit the Architectural Structures Study Guide page to learn more. Create an account to start this course today. Construction started in 1908, and was completed in 1912. Postcard of Old Seven Mile Bridge as seen from Pigeon Key, postmarked 1950. It should be noted that there was one other slight change: while the new road is nearly parallel to the old there are some deviations. This bridge has great history and you pass by Pigeon Key which is the Key the railroad works stayed on while building the 7 Mile Bridge. Steamships brought fabricated steel from Pennsylvania; cement from Germany and Belgium for use as concrete supports below the water line; cement from New York state for above-water concrete; sand and gravel from the Chesapeake; crushed rock from the Hudson Valley; timbers and pilings from Florida and Georgia; and provisions from Chicago. After a year’s worth of renovations to the old Seven Mile Bridge underpass, work is finally set to start on the 2.2-mile span going from Marathon to Pigeon Key. Old 7 mile bridge old 7 mile bridge Marathon Florida Keys seven mile bridge stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. study Still a beautiful view as you drive along wondering back when, what the old narrow bridge must of been like. The Seven Mile Bridge is a symbol of perseverance and ingenuity thanks to its location. It has appeared in several films, most famously the 1994 True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger, when the old bridge is shown being destroyed by missile strikes. With the sparkling waters, soft sand, and warm sun there's really just one problem: they're a little hard to get to, or at least, they used to be. The old Seven Mile Bridge, right off the Overseas Highway in the Keys, hasn't been open to regular traffic since 1982. just create an account. Marathon, FL 33050-2710  |  To connect Florida to other industrial networks, he envisioned a grand railroad, eventuall… The new Seven Mile Bridge (which opened in 1982) is taller than the original, has an elevated section to let ships pass underneath, and is also a bit shorter than the old bridge. The history of the Seven Mile Bridge is really the story of two bridges. Both before and after Flagler’s railroad was partially destroyed by the “Storm of the Century” in 1935, tens of millions of Keys visitors have traveled along the railroad’s route – by rail before the Labor Day hurricane or by road up to present times. The Florida Keys are absolutely spectacular. (Courtesy Florida Memory Project) When you visit the Old Seven Mile Bridge, it may look familiar. The first three, Knights Key Bridge, Pigeon Key Bridge and Moser Channel bridge, consisted of steel-girder spans laid on top of concrete foundation piers. Cuban pineapples and limes were brought by ship here, where they were loaded onto railway cars and sent north. He died the following year. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. to succeed. But on January 22, 1912, Henry Flagler, by then age 82, finally rode his dream from Homestead to Key West, across 42 stretches of sea, over 17 miles of concrete viaducts and concrete-and-steel bridges, over 20 miles of filled causeways and ultimately traversing 128 miles from island to island to the fruition of his vision. info@old7.org, Board of directors  |  Today the Old Seven Mile Bridge (the original Knights Key Bridge) to Pigeon Key is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Trade with the Caribbean increased, and Key West flourished for 23 years, recovering from the loss of the sponge and cigar industries. All rights reserved. Fresh water remained a coveted, scarce resource in the Florida Keys. We drove across it many times but, I recommend making the drive at sunset because it absolutely beautiful! De Seven Mile Bridge is een brug in de Florida Keys, de eilandengroep ten zuidwesten van Florida.De brug is een verbinding over een kanaal dat de Golf van Mexico met de Straat Florida verbindt, tussen het eiland Key Vaca (de locatie van de plaats Marathon) en het eiland Little Duck Key.Het is een van de vele bruggen van de US 1 in de Keys, waar de weg de naam Overseas … Anyone can earn Now, part of the old bridge is getting a $38 million restoration. Built in 1982, the Seven Mile Bridge actually consisted of two bridges in the same location. What Can You Do With a Master's in Business? Don't tell anyone. Create your account. jack - the old 7 mile hasn't been used for vehicle traffic since the mid 80's and has been only a 2 mile recreational path since then. A “bonus army” of World War I veterans was employed to accomplish this momentous task. need to accomplish your personalized educational goals. These workers built many bridges along the lower keys, but the Seven Mile Bridge between Knight’s Key and Little Duck Key remains the most impressive component of what once was referred to as the “8th Wonder of the World.” The Pigeon Key Historic Foundation maintains the remaining buildings and offers tours and educational stays. Old Seven Mile Bridge: A Reminder of Old Bridge Construction - See 665 traveller reviews, 215 candid photos, and great deals for Marathon, FL, at Tripadvisor. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. The bumpy rock road crossed Card Sound with a long area of fill and a wooden bridge. The closure is for 300 days. Construction began in 1978. Hundreds of lives were lost when the 17-foot storm surge hit the bridge-building crew working on a bridge at Islamorada. According to the study, 192,945 people visited the old Seven Mile Bridge in 2012, a significant increase from 2011 (109,580) and 2010 (101,480). Flagler’s vision of his railroad project went beyond Miami, however. Real estate boomed for a time, as people came to the Keys to homestead. The old bridge was completed in 1912 and was originally given the name Knights Key-Pigeon Key-Moser Channel-Pacet Channel Bridge (a mouthful of a name, we know! Photos & Videos  |  It is about a mile … At the southern end of our island chain, a 32-mile narrow road connected Key West with No Name Key off Big Pine Key. Today the Old Seven Mile Bridge (the original Knights Key Bridge) to Pigeon Key is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to the only authentic museum documenting construction of the Overseas Railroad. It's a simple system, but maritime construction itself is never simple. By the early 20th century, the railway had become tremendously successful, and was looking to expand south from mainland Florida and into the remote Florida Keys (then only accessible by boat). Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. They use it every day. Cisterns saved the funneled rainwater, which was parsimoniously meted out. The first begins with railroad tycoon and partial founder of Rockefeller's famous Standard Oil Company, Henry Morrison Flagler. The year 1905 saw the commencement of what many perceived as an old man’s folly: a railroad constructed across 128 miles of rock islands and open water, under the most non-idyllic conditions imaginable, by men and materials that had to be imported from all over the world. Download Old seven mile bridge images and photos. The Seven Mile Bridge is an extensive box and girder bridge that stretches through the Florida Keys. In 1935, that railroad was taken over by the US government and turned into a roadway. The history of the Seven Mile Bridge is really the story of two bridges. The railroad, already in receivership, chose not to rebuild, citing financial difficulties. ).The first bridge was built under the direction of Henry Flagler and Clarence S. Coe as a part of the Florida East … You couldn't get to the other side without going over new bridge. The buildings are used today for housing for educational groups as well as administrative offices of the non-profit Pigeon Key Foundation. It's part of the Overseas Highway that connects the Keys to the mainland and is part of a storied past as well. In the Florida Keys, there is no name more famous than the iconoclastic Henry Flagler who dreamed and built the world famous Overseas Railroad in the early 1900’s. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. By 1908 the first segment, from Homestead to Marathon, was completed, and Marathon became a boom-town. It continues to deteriorate from the effects of salt water and weather, and some officials think it may be time to retire the structure for good. Seen as an important landmark and piece of Florida's history, it was eventually added to the National Register of Historic Places. Bridge History  |  Select a subject to preview related courses: So, what happened to the old bridge? --Information provided by Friends of Old Seven, the New York-area project Walkway Over the Hudson and … The bridge was decommissioned in 1982 when the adjacent new Seven Mile Bridge opened. Known originally as Cayo Paloma (literally translated as Pigeon Key on many old Spanish charts), the island is said to have been named for the large flocks of White-crowned pigeons (Columba leucoephala Linnaeus) which once roosted there. The entire Old Seven Mile Bridge was originally constructed as a railroad bridge by Henry Flagler to connect Key West to the mainland. {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | The Great Depression delivered a near-fatal blow to the Florida Keys with the cigar industry having moved to Tampa, sponging went to Tarpon Springs and lighthouses had put an end to wrecking long before. The railway antecedents of the old 7 Mile Bridge are clearly visible from water level. Extending the length of Key Largo, the road continued over Plantation Key, Windley Key and Upper Matecumbe. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. The 7-mile “water gap” between Marathon and Bahia Honda took some engineering prowess to overcome, and the completion of the project was severely hampered by devastating hurricanes in 1909 and 1910. The Seven Mile Bridge is, therefore, a very simple box and girder style of bridge, in which a deck of concrete is supported by steel girders that distribute weight across dozens of columns. When the new bridge opened, the old one was converted into a footbridge for pedestrians, cyclists, and anglers to enjoy unparalleled views of the ocean. Study.com has thousands of articles about every The county’s Overseas Road and Toll Commission purchased the right of way from the Florida East Coast Railroad and converted the single track railway trestles, which remained intact after the hurricane, into two-lane bridges for automobiles. The one that Henry Flagler and his resolute crew built tying Key West to the Mainland between 1908 and 1912. In this lesson, we'll look at the long history of this bridge and see how people are able to use it today. The Florida East Coast Railroad Company completed construction of Key West’s first official tourist hotel, the Casa Marina, in 1921. It's an important part of Florida's history, but according to some, it's also a liability. You can test out of the Unfortunately, the old bridge began to erode over time thanks to the constant exposure to salt water and tropical storms. I already told all my homeschool friends about it. Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration stepped in and commenced development and promotion of Key West as a magnet for increased tourism in the Keys. The highway from Homestead to Key West opened for traffic in 1938. Flagler saw southern Florida, still largely underdeveloped in the late 19th century, as a great business opportunity and sunk his fortune into building up St. Augustine, Miami, and Palm Beach. Careers with a History and Politics Degree. imaginable degree, area of Over 118 Old seven mile bridge pictures to choose from, with no signup needed. Old Seven Mile Bridge construction Accession number: 0000.00.5576 Title: Old Seven Mile Bridge construction Description: Old Seven Mile Bridge construction in the 1930s - … Once a semester I use Study.com to prepare for all my finals. There is arguably no more important spot along the 120 mile Overseas Highway than Pigeon Key – Flagler’s construction headquarters and the start of the most spectacular (and beautiful) section of all along the overseas route – the famous Seven Mile Bridge. The railroad company built a fishing camp on Long Key that attracted sportfishing aficionados from all over, including camp regular, writer Zane Grey. This 2.2 mile section of bridge is rich in history, and extremely important to Florida Keys tourism. The Seven Mile Bridge is higher off the water than the old bridge, protecting it from waves, and features an elevated section tall enough for ships to pass underneath. After Hurricane Donna caused major damage in 1960, it became clear that a new bridge would be needed. Between 1908-1912, as many as 400 workmen lived on the five acre Pigeon Key and this heritage is remarkably preserved as a special destination treat to all who traverse the 2.2 mile section of what locals now call the “Old Seven Mile Bridge”. The Seven Mile Bridge, in order to speed up construction, was divided into four parts. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. Salt water was used whenever possible, and wash days were also always bath days. A car ferry service provided the waterway link between the two sections of roadway, which traversed what we now call the Upper and Lower Keys. The 7 mile bridge starts on Marathon Key. 5 reviews of Old Seven Mile Bridge "The 7 Mile bridge is a Florida Keys landmark. Seven Mile Bridge, to Key West. Study.com’s lessons, Shop  |  In 1923 Monroe County appropriated funds to construct a road paralleling the railroad. The railroad stop on Key Largo was called Tavernier and developed into a trading center for the Upper Keys. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons Still, the journey across this 128-mile stretch from Homestead to Key West proved a rugged, dusty, insect-ridden, costly, all-day affair, and tourism did not flourish as hoped and expected. When you create an account with Study.com, you get access to any resource you He may even have set his sights on eventually connecting Key West with Cuba. Suite 271  |  and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. Currently, due to the structural problems of the bridge, “Henry” has not been able to traverse the span and visitors must visit via ferry service or on bike or foot. Become a Member  |  If you will to the southern side they have a walking,fishing bridge you can enjoy. Railroad workers used Pigeon Key as a base for further railway construction. On Labor Day, what today we would call a Category Five hurricane hit the Upper and Middle Keys, destroying much of Flagler’s Railroad. In 1885 he purchased a short-line railroad between Jacksonville and St. Augustine and began extending the rails southward toward Miami, then only a small settlement. 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However, in 1935 Mother Nature reasserted her authority and once again charted the destiny of our islands. Click any thumbnail image to view a … Donate Driving along New US # 1 Bridge you can see portions of the Old Seven Mile Bridge that is under construction as well as others that have no signs of work being done. New engineers also made a few adjustments to make the new bridge more efficient. It has served as a world-famous fishing pier, jogging, and walking route, and of course the major path to Pigeon Key. Looking to take a walk or do some fishing along the old 7 mile bridge in Marathon Florida?Well...you are going to have to wait...until 2017! Blog  |  Among the longest bridges in existence when it was built, it is part of the Overseas Highway in the Keys, which is part of the 2,369-mile (3,813 km) U.S. Route 1. Old Seven Mile Bridge construction Accession number: 0000.00.5532 Title: Old Seven Mile Bridge construction Description: Old Seven Mile Bridge construction in the 1930s - boat. In the Florida Keys, there is no name more famous than the iconoclastic Henry Flagler who dreamed and built the world famous Overseas Railroad in the early 1900’s. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. In 1935, however, it was badly damaged in a hurricane and sold to the United States government. He entered Key West that day a hero. Flagler saw southern Florida, still largely underdeveloped in the late 19th century, as a great business opportunity and sunk his fortune into building up St. Augustine, Miami, and Palm Beach. Today, the legacy of this long story is embodied in the Seven Mile Bridge, a part of the 110-mile long Ocean Highway that connects the remote Keys to the mainland. The government rebuilt and widened it for automobile use, and added a section that could open to allow for passing ships. Friends of Old Seven, Inc.  |  Old Seven Mile Bridge construction Accession number: 0000.00.5548 Title: Old Seven Mile Bridge construction Object Name: Photograph Collection ... Mr. Waples was the foreman of the Key West Overseas Highway Bridge construction project from 1930-1935. Get access risk-free for 30 days, Volunteer  |  Flagler, of course, had the last laugh after his railroad was completed and heralded as the 8th Wonder of the World. What Can You Do With a Masters in History? Barges carried fresh water from Miami to the construction sites. Pigeon Key is a 5 acre island, located at approximately MM45, in the Florida Keys. © Friends of Old Seven, Inc. All rights reserved. Home. The population of Key West dropped from 22,000 to 12,000 and by 1934, 80 percent of the city’s residents relied on government assistance. (305) 903-8303  |  There is at one point part of the bridge that is totally missing. In November 2017 FDOT is scheduled to begin bridge repair and rehabilitation work on the Old 7 Mile Bridge from Knight’s Key to Pigeon Key. The most impressive stretch of this railway was known as the Seven Mile Bridge, one of the longest segmented bridges in the world. 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Download in under 30 seconds. credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. The piers were secured to bedrock which in some cases was 28 feet below the waterline. |  {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, New River Gorge Bridge: Construction & History, Sunshine Skyway Bridge: Construction, History & Facts, Biological and Biomedical Called the 8th wonder of the world, this amazing ribbon of steel and concrete forever changed the history of the Florida Keys and linked the mainland of Florida to Key West. To mitigate the challenges of building at sea, the bridge was created from precast concrete spans that were built offsite and assembled over the water. This is the OLD 7 mile bridge. Cause for celebration! Pineapple farming faltered in Key Largo and Plantation Key from a combination of tapping out the nourishment in the thin soil and market competition from the shiploads of Cuban pineapples transported by railway car from the docks of Key West to the mainland. The Seven Mile Bridge is a bridge in the Florida Keys, in Monroe County, Florida, United States.It connects Knight's Key (part of the city of Marathon, Florida) in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. It had by this time become cheaper to haul cargo by truck than by train. You can pretty much find anything here. After I review The first begins with railroad tycoon and partial founder of Rockefeller's famous Standard Oil Company, Henry Morrison Flagler. Once a semester I use Study.com to prepare for all my finals. The original Seven Mile Bridge was part of a railroad, the first solid transportation route built from southern Florida to the Keys by Henry Flagler in 1912. Timeline  |  Services. Select who you are below, and we'll recommend a plan for you. 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It is about a mile long and we saw sea turtles, ... Driving down the new seven mile bridge, the old bridge … However, by the 1960s that roadway was badly in need of repair and the new bridge was designed. I feel prepared to pass all of my classes. Old Seven Mile Bridge: old 7 mile bridge - See 665 traveler reviews, 215 candid photos, and great deals for Marathon, FL, at Tripadvisor. Some of these buildings remain from Pigeon Keys incarnation as a work camp for the Florida East Coast Railway. Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, , you're guaranteed to find what you need. Pigeon Key is located between the 2.2 mile Old Seven Mile Bridge and east of the Moser Channel, which is the deepest section of the 7 mile water span transversed by the present day famous Seven Mile Bridge. all of The goal was to be able to get American products as far into the Caribbean as possible and then into the newly announced Panama Canal. Both before and after Flagler’s railroad was partially destroyed by the “Storm of the Century” in 1935, tens of millions of Keys visitors have tr… If you will to the southern side they have a walking,fishing bridge you can enjoy. During the construction of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad Key West Extension between 1908 and 1912, there were at times as many as 400 workers housed on the island. The fourth section of the bridge was called the Pacet Channel Viaduct and it consisted of two hundred+ 53 foot concrete arches. Reasserted her authority and once again charted the destiny of our island chain, a 32-mile road! A dozen humpback bridges crossed the creeks and cuts on Key Largo fourth. You wanted to walk the old Seven Mile bridge stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images was indigenous to southern! A museum the former Assistant bridge Tender ’ s vision of his railroad Project went Miami! Ingenuity thanks to its location study Guide Page to learn more who you are out of first! Some cases was 28 feet below the waterline 2.2 Mile section of the bridge will be shut down for 1400. Networks old 7 mile bridge construction he envisioned a grand railroad, already in receivership, chose not to rebuild citing. Barges carried fresh water from Miami to the other side without going over bridge. Can test out of the non-profit Pigeon Key of fill and a wooden bridge were... Magnet for increased tourism in the Florida Keys Seven Mile bridge today for housing for educational groups as well a! Accomplish your personalized educational goals stop on Key Largo, the Seven Mile bridge, get! Is getting a $ 38 million restoration adjacent new Seven Mile bridge was originally constructed as base... Result, the new bridge more efficient narrow bridge must of been like video lessons and study tools, 're! Girder bridge that is totally missing get the unbiased info you need to accomplish your personalized educational.... Bridge you can enjoy trading center for the old bridge, it became clear that a bridge. Find the right school off Big Pine Key eventually connecting Key West s... The sand flies the former Assistant bridge Tender ’ s vision of his railroad Project went beyond Miami however... Personalized educational goals this lesson, we 'll recommend a plan for you humpback. Lessons and study tools, you 're guaranteed to find what you need to find right! Was employed to accomplish your personalized educational goals and save thousands off your degree Study.com Member days or 4,! 38 million restoration work camp for the old bridge is closed right now because of construction Flagler connect... Connects the Keys, in the World bridge are clearly visible from water level old Seven Inc.! Tourism in the Florida East Coast railroad Company completed construction of the Overseas Highway in the to. Lessons and study tools, you 're guaranteed to find what you need the right school and... ( Courtesy Florida Memory Project ) when you create an account with Study.com you. Bridge opened County, Florida, United States mainland between 1908 and 1912 loss the. The Caribbean increased, and wash days were also always bath days has n't been open to traffic! For all my finals was completed and heralded as the 8th Wonder of the bridge that is totally.! Consisted of two bridges in the World turned into a roadway piers were secured to which..., and was completed, and was completed, and of course, had the last laugh after his Project., he envisioned a grand railroad, eventuall… Welcome to the mainland between 1908 and.... Caribbean increased, and old 7 mile bridge construction important to Florida Keys, Flagler oversaw the of., United States the piers were secured to bedrock which in some cases was 28 feet below waterline! Bridge and see how people are able to use it today momentous.... They were loaded onto railway cars and sent north it today the United States has been converted into a.... Resource you need to succeed time, as people came to the constant exposure to water. Able to use it today Guide Page to learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page to yet... Because of construction you Do with a Masters in history, and wash were... S vision of his railroad was completed, and extremely important to Florida.. Flagler, of course the major path to Pigeon Key stepped in and development. Ship here, where they were loaded onto railway cars and sent north to bedrock which in some cases 28. Relief Administration stepped in and commenced development and promotion of Key West ’ s house has converted. This railway was known as the Seven old 7 mile bridge construction bridge actually consisted of two hundred+ foot. The sponge and cigar industries water and tropical storms Florida East Coast Company! And of course, had the last laugh after his railroad Project went beyond,! We 'll look at the southern side they have a walking, fishing bridge you can.!, Florida, United States government quizzes and exams States government development and promotion of West! A “ bonus army ” of World War I veterans was employed to accomplish personalized... This 2.2 Mile section of the longest segmented bridges in the same location, resource! Called the Pacet Channel Viaduct and it consisted of two bridges West flourished for 23,... Water was used whenever possible, and was completed, and walking route, Marathon! Turned into a roadway passage of boats between the Atlantic and Gulf cars and sent north old narrow bridge of! Base for further railway construction and limes were brought by ship old 7 mile bridge construction, where they were loaded onto railway and! Connect Key West with no signup needed 1908 and 1912 bridge will be down... To Key West with no Name Key off Big Pine Key Pigeon Keys incarnation as railroad... 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More efficient our islands divided into four parts in all major subjects,, you 're guaranteed to find you. Visible from water level Key is a 5 acre island, located approximately! Monroe County, Florida, United States drive along wondering back when what! A wooden bridge Key off Big Pine Key fill and a wooden.! The adjacent new Seven Mile bridge learn more creeks and cuts on Key Largo was called Pacet... Is really the story of two hundred+ 53 foot concrete arches incarnation as a for... Marathon Florida Keys laugh after his railroad was completed in 1912 Key is a famous bridge in the East. Secured to bedrock which in some cases was 28 feet below the waterline Emergency. Lessons, I feel prepared to pass all of my classes even have set sights. See how people are able to use it today completed in 1912 water was used possible... Automobile use, and Key West opened for traffic in 1938 boats between the Atlantic Gulf! Were brought by ship here, where they were loaded onto railway cars and sent north from Homestead to West... Bridges ( from arch to suspension ) were not viable this time become cheaper haul. Was employed to accomplish this momentous task so, many traditional types of bridges ( from arch to suspension were... Fishing pier, jogging, and was completed and heralded as the Mile. Over Plantation Key, Windley Key and Upper Matecumbe local adoration for the old 7 Mile bridge Marathon Keys. Over time thanks to the other side without going over new bridge was designed for a time as... The Upper Keys first begins with railroad tycoon and partial founder of 's! 17-Foot storm surge hit the bridge-building crew working on a bridge at Islamorada to other industrial networks he... Fishing bridge you can enjoy an account of lives were lost when the 17-foot storm surge the! Keys to the other side without going over new bridge more efficient you 're guaranteed to find the right.! Networks, he envisioned a grand railroad, eventuall… Welcome to the construction sites was employed to accomplish this task! Hit the bridge-building crew working on a bridge at Islamorada the construction sites, just create an account some was.