The wealthy Flagler took an interest in Florida while seeking a warmer climate for his ailing first wife in the late 1870s.

After the United States announced in 1905 the construction of the Panama Canal, Flagler became particularly interested in linking Key West to the mainland.

Initially called "Flagler's Folly", the construction of the Overseas Railroad required many engineering innovations as well as vast amounts of labor and monetary resources.

Once the decision was made to move forward with the project, Flagler sent his engineer William J. Krome to survey potential routes for the railroad.

Despite the hardships, the final link of the Florida East Coast Railway to Trumbo Point in Key West was completed in 1912.

[4] During its years of operation, freight traffic volume on the single-track overseas extension was disappointing, as the anticipated growth in Panama Canal cargo shipping through Key West failed to materialize.

Trains of tank cars brought potable water to Key West from mainland Florida.

[3] Already bankrupt, the Florida East Coast Railway was financially unable to rebuild the destroyed sections.