The Railroad That Died at Sea: The Florida East Coasts Key West Extension

American History. A masterpiece of railroad engineering, the Overseas Railroad was often called "The Railroad That Went to Sea." Begun in 1905, the Extension crossed the waters of the Florida Keys with magnificent concrete spans and opened in 1912. For years, thousands of passengers enjoyed the breath-taking trip across brilliant seas and tropical islands. Then came the devastating Labor Day hurricane of September 2, 1935---and the end of "The Eighth Wonder of the World."