This history of the Keys plays a vital part in the identity of its residents. If you have lived here for many years, the history is a heartfelt reminder of days gone by, when you could take a nap in the middle of US 1 without a care. If you are new to the area, you can learn a lot from those who have come before you. Some are anti-social, some are friendlier than anyone you have ever met, but there is one thing for sure of the people in the Keys, we don't pretend to be anything more of less than what we are. |
- The KeysPonce de Leon founded the Keys in 1513 and named them Los Martires, which translates to the martyrs, due to the fact that they seemed twisted and tortured. They chose not to settle in the Keys due to the lack of fresh water, no gold, and way to many bugs.
The first actual settlement in the Keys was in 1822. This was in Cayo Hueso, what is now known as Key West. In 1874 the other keys were surveyed for homesteading, and people began to settle there.
Henry Flagler began extending the railroad from Homestead through the Everglades in 1905. Flagler was 75 when the construction of the Overseas Highway began, and died in 1912, a few months after the project was completed.
The railroad remained until the 'The Hurricane' of 1935. The hurricane hit on September 2. It swept across the Matacumbe Keys with an 18 foot tidal wave and 200 mph winds. More than 800 people died in this nameless hurricane, and of 11 railroad cars the only one that survived was 'Old 447'.
Marathon began as a base camp for workers building the railroad. It is believed that the name came from the workers, after their own endurance.
The Seven Mile Bridge was completed in 1911, and the workers moved on. Marathon remained next to vacant until 1940 when the population was large enough to constitute 13 bars and restaurants, but no churches or schools. What is now Marathon Airport was initially a airstrip installed for training during World War II.
Marathon has since become one of the most visited of all of the Keys, and what we all choose to call our home.
