Resolution 095-2007
Commissioner McCoy
RESOLUTION NO. Q2L..-2007
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF MONROE COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ESTABLlSIIING A
COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING A FUNCTIONING
REPUCA OF THE FLORIDA EAST COAST RAILROAD TO
MEMORIALIZE THIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT FOR FUTURE
GENERATIONS AND AS AN ATTRACTION TO THE UNIQUENESS OF
THIS SOUTHERNMOST PART OF THE UNITED STATES.
WHJi::REAS, there exist bridges in the Florida Keys that have great historical
importance; and
WHEREAS, Henry Flagler had built a railroad extension of his Florida East Coast Rail
System that l,xtended from the Florida mainland to the island City of Key West; and
WH};REAS, these railroad cars would then be rolled onto a railroad ferry for the trip to
Cuba; and
WHEREAS, this railroad extension, built at the turn of the century, was widely known
as the "Train That Went to Sea" and the "Eighth Wonder of the World'; and
WHEREAS, this was widely accepted as an extraordinary engineering achievement; and
WHEREAS, the great Hurricane of Labor Day 1935 destroyed some of the track system
and a train that had been sent to evacuate the WW-l veterans that were working on a vehicular
road system;. and
WHEREAS, the railroad viaducts were so well built that they remain to this day; and
WHEREAS, a major overhaul of a section of the Seven-Mile Railroad Bridge is
scheduled to begin soon, connecting Marathon to Pigeon Key; and
WHEREAS, this engineering feat deserves to be part of americana and Florida history;
and
WHEREAS, it is timely to begin this functioning historical asset; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, HEREBY:
1. Creates a committee to include Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, State
Representative Ron Saunders, County Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy and a
representative to be selected by the City of Marathon, Florida to coordinate the
creation of a functioning replica of the Florida East Coast Railroad as a self-
supporting national attraction.
2. Requests the State designate the Old Seven-Mile Bridge as a State monument and a
valuable State asset and construct thereon a special gauge replica of Flagler's
Railroad as an operating national attraction.
3. Encourages the Federal Government to endorse this recognition of the building of
America.
4. Expresses its concern that this railroad be a self-supporting endeavor operating as a
unique national attraction.
5. Encourages the State to expand this process to include other historical construction
and engineering achievements such as the Bahia Honda Bridge and beyond, which
reflect the pioneering days of our history, should this venture show promise.
6. Directs the Clerk of the Court to forward a copy of this resolution to Congresswoman
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, State Representative Ron Saunders and the City of Marathon,
Florida.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a meeting of said Board held on the 21st day of March, 2007.
Mayor DiGennaro
Mayor Pro Tern Spehar
Commissioner Neugent
Commissioner McCoy
Commissioner Murphy
YP~
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
(Seal)
Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
By:~o.kJJC.~antW
Deputy Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By ~j{J:~
Mayor/Chairman
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March 26, 2007
Representative Ron Saunders
90311 Overst~as Highway, Suite A
PO Box 699
Tavernier FL 33070-0699
Dear Representative Saunders:
Please be advised that at a Regular Meeting in formal session on March 21, 2007, the
Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County adopted Resolution No. 095-2007
establishing a committee for the purpose of creating a functioning replica of the Florida East
Coast Railroad to memorialize this great achievement for future generations and as an attraction
to the uniquellt:ss of this southernmost part of the United States.
Attached is a certified copy of the subject Resolution for your consideration. Should you
have any questions please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Danny L. Kolhage, Clerk
of Court and ex-officio Clerk
to the Board of County Commissioners
by:
Isabel C. DeSantis
Deputy Clerk
cc: File
March 26, 2007
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
9210 Sunset Drive, Suite 100
Miami, FL 33173
Dear Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen:
Please be advised that at a Regular Meeting in formal session on March 21, 2007, the
Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County adopted Resolution No. 095-2007
establishing a committee for the purpose of creating a functioning replica of the Florida East
Coast Railroad to memorialize this great achievement for future generations and as an attraction
to the unique:ness of this southernmost part of the United States.
Attached is a certified copy of the subject Resolution for your consideration. Should you
have any questions please do not hesitate to contact this office.
Danny L. Kolhage, Clerk
of Court and ex-officio Clerk
to the Board of County Commissioners
by:
Isabel C. DeSantis
Deputy Clerk
cc: File