"Pigeon Key Historic District" Pigeon Key by grandmaR

Pigeon Key from old 7 mile bridge

Pigeon Key was originally developed as a work camp for railroad workers in the early 1900's while building the "Railroad to the Sea" from Miami to Key West. It is located off the old seven mile bridge, just west of Marathon, Fla. Pigeon Key has since become a research facility and museum.

Model train in the museum

After the 1935 hurricane wiped out Islamorada, the railroad and Flager's widow sold the rights of way and bridges to the State of Florida. The roadway was converted to auto traffic between 1935 and 1938. With the exception of WWII when the Government took over, Pigeon Key was used by the staff and families who maintained the bridge. The key was utilized as a fishing camp, then a research center by the University of Miami in the 70s. The new 7 Mile bridge was completed in April of 1982 and Pigeon Key Was by-passed. The segments of the bridge which connected to Bahia Honda and from Knights Key to Pigeon Key were retained, but sections were taken out and the middle of the old bridge has been abandoned.