Because of his failing health, the job of bringing the train to Key West was rushed. Shortcuts were taken to hasten the project and ensure that Flagler saw his dream come to fruition. The railroad engineers were successful, and when Mr. Flagler’s railcar arrived in Key West, it did mark the beginning of daily railroad service operating between railroad depots at Miami and Key West. One of the lesser-reported stories about the railroad is that it was not officially completed until 1916.
Henry Flagler died on May 20, 1912. He never rode down to Key West aboard his private railcar on the completed Over-Sea Railroad project.
It was decimated by the Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and the railroad was already in a poor state financially so they were unable to rebuild it. The state of Florida bought what was left of it and turned it into the original Overseas Highway.
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