From boom to doom the Overseas Railroad

Posted On: July 23, 2021

Henry Flagler's dream of a railroad extending down the entire east coast of Florida was realized in 1912 with the completion of the 128-mile Overseas Railroad. Join local historian Brian Polk as he focuses on the thousands of workers who helped Flagler achieve his goal at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at DeBary Hall Historic Site, 198 Sunrise Blvd.

The Overseas Railroad extended from the tip of the peninsula to Key West.  It took seven years to cut through mangrove swamps, dredge the ocean bottom and construct 42 bridges while battling the tropical heat, mosquitoes, isolation and deadly hurricanes.  

Polk was the DeLeon Springs State Park manager from 2005-2018, working in 14 parks and at the state parks' central office in Tallahassee.

This presentation is part of the free Lemonade Lectures series, which Volusia County sponsors. Light refreshments and lemonade will be served. Advance registration is requested; call 386-668-3840 or email lperez@volusia.org.