The Railroad That Died At Sea :The Florida East Coast's Key West Extension 

by Pat Parks 1968 Paperback

Often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," this engineering marvel connected mainland Florida to Key West until the devastating 1935 Labor Day hurricane destroyed miles of track, forcing the route's closure. Built by Henry Flagler, this ambitious 156-mile railway connected mainland Florida to Key West, traversing brilliant seas and tropical islands. It officially opened in 1912. The railway's operational life was cut short on September 2, 1935, when the devastating Labor Day Hurricane struck the Florida Keys, washing away 42 miles of track and bringing an end to the sea-faring trains. The surviving bridges and roadbeds were eventually repurposed to build the Overseas Highway, which is part of US 1 today.