Why Florida's Overseas Highway Turned From Dream to Disaster

The Florida Keys have the Seven Mile Bridge, a part of the 110-mile long Ocean Highway that connects the remote Keys to the mainland. On this drive, you will travel over a truly incredible feat of engineering that, at one point, was the longest continuous concrete bridge in the world. This Bridge has been through a lot. The original bridge, or what the locals like to call the “Old Seven,” consisted of precast concrete and steel girders that enabled it to be constructed within marshland and the sea. However, a series of hurricanes, storms, and saltwater led to its destruction, thus necessitating certain repairs. For this reason, a new and modern bridge had to be constructed to weather the previous engineering faults and meet the increasing vehicular needs of the Keys. Its construction was described as an engineering milestone that has encouraged bridge-building.
Chapters:
00:00 The History of the 7-mile bridge
00:39 The history of the Florida Keys
02:52 Who envisioned the 7-mile bridge?
03:59 The plan to bring trains into Key West
04:27 The Construction of the 7-mile bridge
05:30 How the 7-mile bridge was destroyed by hurricanes
07:01 Rebuilding the 7-mile bridge for cars
11:12 The restoration process of the Old Seven Mile bridge.
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Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[@CasperFLSTC]

The swing bridge was still in service WELL after Hurricane Donna. I was in the Navy stationed in Key West from 1980 - 1984. I passed over that swing bridge on the way down. The swing bridge was destroyed in Mar of 1981 when a semi truck carrying a backhoe collided with the underslung propane tank of the bridge tenders shack. For the better part of a month the Keys to the west of the swing bridge were isolated from all vehicle traffic. It was a very interesting time. The new bridge in all of its luxurious space for two lanes each way and SHOLDERS was opened in 1982 as a result of that accident.

[@russellbickel8802]

I was going to comment the same thing. I lived in marathon from 78 to 95.

[@Matt_from_Florida]

I commented essentially the same elsewhere. 09:51 The old Moser Channel swing-span was demolished after Hurricane Donna in 1960 (you say)? No. It survived until a fiery accident occurred in 1981 which killed the bridge tender, Peter C. Fancher. There is an inset metal plaque commemorating that event at the highest point of the current Seven Mile Bridge as it goes over The Moser Channel. The old swing-span's mechanical-mechanisms were never repaired (after the 1981 accident) and thus it remained permanently in its closed position (allowing vehicular traffic) until it was removed following the opening of the new 7-mile bridge in 1982.

[@KeyWestChrisRehm]

@@Matt_from_Florida I don't know if it's folklore or not, but I understood that it was also the last day of the bridge tender, prior to retirement. On a related note, while on vacation in 2016 in St. Thomas, I was at a wine tasting and I met a woman from Georgia, who when she heard I was from Key West told me of her high school graduation trip she and her classmates took to Key West. She complained of her trip back and the long and massive delay on the Seven Mile Bridge due to a fire in the swing bridge! Naturally, I filled her in on the tragedy and what a historic event it had been. She had no idea all these years!

[@Matt_from_Florida]

​@@KeyWestChrisRehm Peter C. Fancher, born Feb 4, 1942, died March 2, 1981. Anything's possible, but he wasn't even 40 years old. An aqueduct truck transporting a back hoe on the bed passed under the tender's booth and smashed into the propane tank which supplied the ICE (internal combustion engine) which powered the swing bridge. The bridge tender was burned alive inside his wooden control room. At 7:25 on the right-hand side you can see the steps he would have walked up to get to the control room. 9:51 shows the tender's control-room way back when it was still a railroad bridge (1912-1935), but you can find pictures on the internet of the control-room in later years.

[@robthetimekeeper2423]

2 lanes each way is Bahia Honda not 7 mile bridge.

[@davidbreen4727]

i drove to Key West from Daytona in the mid 80's it was really neat seeing the little keys on the way there. it was kind of scary driving over open water. but now Key West has grown so big with the hotels, they really destroyed a beautiful place.

[@SMac-bq8sk]

I also drove to Key West from the mainland a couple of times in the mid 80s. The ambience was still somewhat quaint back then. Now, it's just another commercialized tourist town. Hope those little keys haven't changed too much.

[@falcoperegrinus82]

Destroying once beautiful places... yeah, they're really good at doing that in FL.

[@SMac-bq8sk]

@@miamibeachsunnydays8274: Ah, so you got to travel across the OLD bridge...nice!👍

[@8corymix8]

The Key's are my most favorite place to visit. Don't be to critical, Key West is busy but still cool. We stay in Marathon. Plenty to do/see with less people. It's still a paradise & better than vacationing in a 3rd world Country.

[@davidbreen4727]

@@8corymix8 all i can do is take your word. the smaller key islands are still cool. how about Islemarada, i don't know how to spell, but that key was pretty relaxing back when.

[@djxcel23]

That salt water is always gonna be a issue

[@Xotics]

We should just replace all the salt water in the Gulf with fresh water, problem solved

[@ssanc6]

@@Xotics let's replace the ocean with a fresh water lake

[@user-mn5zg4bi8h]

Yeah

[@juanhartley4897]

Hahahah facts

[@deicide666100]

There are other bridges that are above salt water , just saying

[@freetolook3727]

I drove across the old Seven-Mile bridge back in the 1970's. Let's just say that you were up close and personal with nature driving on that bridge!

[@jamesbowen2105]

You know it's not the same anymore! I was there frequently in those days...I still fantasize about those days!

[@theyangview1898]

I rode across the 7mile in a tiny sports car (I was hitchhiking) and we got sideswiped by a 18 wheeler tractor rig. Quite the experience

[@jedisdad2265]

My family made many trips for Ft. Lauderdale to Key West in the 1979’s

[@gravelydon7072]

@@theyangview1898 That was so common that at one point traffic for semis was one way only at certain times.

[@MrGbustamante]

I took several trips on the old bridge as a kid. I still recall the terror. Parenting was different. We had scorching hot vinyl seats that would fry eggs, no ac, no seat belts. Babys sat in Moms lap. Semis would pass by in the opposite direction and every time we didnt get blown off the bridge and into the Gulf was a miracle. I wont even fish on that bridge.

[@n7565j]

Being an 7th generation Floridian, my grandfather told me about riding around during the eye of a hurricane back in the 30's as they didn't know about the eye and since the sun was shining and the winds were calm, they thought the worst was over... Imagine their surprise when 45 minutes later the bottom fell out and all heck broke loose... Again!!! Wonderful episode sir 🙂

[@RobSchellinger]

I was in Lakeland for Irma. That was a loud storm and suddenly it was dead quiet. Could you imagine the older homes and cracker houses with little to no insulation between you and the noise? I also made it through Frances, Jean, and Charlie in '04.

[@elizabethwitt2621]

04 was quite the year in South Florida. Remember it all too well.

[@amblincork]

How could your grandfathers generation not know about the eye of the storm ?

[@blue_lancer_es]

​@@amblincorkit was the 30s. Hurricanes had barely any warnings. Radar wasn't even used for weather well after ww2. So not much info in that era.

[@amblincork]

@@blue_lancer_es But surely simple observations for hundreds of years would have made people realise there was a period of calm before the storm started again ?

[@cofoothills]

the "bump-bump-bump" of driving over the seams of that bridge was hypnotic!

[@Joe-lq6xy]

In 1976 We left Indiana and drove to the Keys in a VW bug, I was 12 years old went with my Uncle his wife and son, I had $3 for the trip. They have passed away but I still remember it to his day.........

[@ButterfatFarms]

Good God that sounds awful in a VW Bug it's Florida you need air conditioning!

[@herbvanderven5154]

Born 1953 in Key West and moved to Miami as a young child, I've made many trips to the Keys and love them. The old narrow bridge kind of added a death-defying thrill of adventure to the trip. Haha!

[@SMac-bq8sk]

You old Conch! Cheers!😄

[@mikesullivan2075]

It sure did

[@76reliant]

Did any cars end up going into the water, trying to cross the bridge?

[@koosmal]

'Patience Pays' remember the rectangular signs to deter passing. Really scared me as a kid, dad driving. A wreck would tie up traffic for miles.

[@herbvanderven5154]

@@koosmal yeah, I've spent some time in those long lines after a traffic accident. If you were on one of the bridges there was nothing to do but wait it out.

[@Scoutt236]

Local Keys resident, born in raised in Marathon, 3rd generation. Love the video! Thanks for sharing the history of our little islands. The 7-mile bridge restoration recently completed earlier this year; from Marathon to Pigeon Key. Unfortunately the remaining section and old Bahia Honda bridge is still in great disrepair.

[@debrahelmlinger6256]

My family lived in the Keys from 1949 until 2003 when the last Helmlinger left the Keys. I used to visit so often from Broward County, the locals thought I was a local

[@parkerb4449]

Son of two marathon natives here! My uncle runs the Royal Furniture store there :)

[@kujodriptaro3560]

Keys stay winning over mainland. I live in Tavernier

[@RalseiGaming]

from big pine key here

[@raydude9208]

Please let it go, that old bridge did its job for almost 100 years! Throwing more money at a dead bridge will never bring it back to life? Time to move on.

[@WanderedOff]

FYI… the old seven mile bridge renovation was completed in January. I’ve walked it a few times. It’s a beautiful walk!

[@WanderedOff]

@@miamibeachsunnydays8274 the old Seven Mile bridge that was renovated is now walkable from Marathon to Pigeon Key. I see a lot of cyclists crossing all the bridges to Key West.

[@westownsend8228]

@@miamibeachsunnydays8274 it's not exactly the safest of rides. The old bridge stops at pigeon, so without ET on board you'll have to take the main bridge which is still kinda narrow and cars are regularly doing 60+

[@Matt_from_Florida]

@@miamibeachsunnydays8274 So far only the section North of Pigeon Key has been renovated. The rest will also be renovated but as far as I know there is *no plan to construct any structure at all over The Moser Channel.* So unless you feel like taking a swim there is no way to go completely across the old bridge.

[@westownsend8228]

@@miamibeachsunnydays8274 I passed through Moser a month ago and there wasn't any evidence of connecting the bridge. Don't wanna speak absolutely since I haven't seen it in a month, but I think the renovation is only the marathon to pigeon section

[@hellaacapella]

Last time I was in the keys around 2016, my buddy hit 134 mph in a mustang on that bridge… let me tell you it was absolutely wild with the top down!

[@jryer1]

I drove the old bridge before it was closed. It was so tight, there were times you could reach out touch the car driving by in the other direction. When delivery trucks came by, you had to pay very close attention as there was no room for error.

[@grey6703]

i saw it and it looked so tight like only one car could go at a time any one way! it’s wild that two could actually fit

[@jski7355]

Long ,long time military ,worker , visitor ,guest/family , tourist .My love for this section of the world is unconditional . Started in 1965 , Nearly 60 years .Easy to become enamored with this archipelago .Although it has become so very popular as a tourist destination that has underscored the true wonderful character of the Keys that tourist won't ever see let alone appreciate .Sad .The wonderful ,helpful ,hard working , resilient " True " Conchs " that have called this place home for decades after decades are the real beauty of these islands . Tourist can be so rude , cruel , disrespectful , damaging slobs that tarnish everything they touch is so disheartening for various reasons .It only takes those few to tarnish the majority of visitors that do appreciate the entire beauty of the culture natural wonders , uniqueness , frailties of nature that exist there .

[@dianewhite1819]

My ex husband was stationed at NAS Key West in 1971 part of 1972 . On the trip down the keys, we were pulling a trailer with our VW & the engine blew & at the time we had everything we owned in that trailer plus our 1 yr. old son with us & it was late at night, very late . A truck driver came along & we locked up our car & the trailer & he gave us a ride into Key West & dropped us off at the Holiday Inn & my husband called his ship, The Howard Gilmore, the next day & the Captain sent 3 sailors that worked in the computer department where my husband was to work & they took him back to tow our car & retrieve our belongings!! What a way to start out at a new naval station huh ??? And yes, that 2 lane bridge in a large truck was VERY NARROW!!!! Thanks for listening to my story !!!

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Lol.. thats about as wide as 90% of roads over here in Britain.

[@74bshs]

I did, too, three times in the late 70's. Quite an experience.

[@007stopjockin]

Been in Florida since 1986 since my 1st duty station in Panama City Beach. It's completely overrun, overdeveloped, and ruined now. It used to be pristine, beautiful, and affordable. I get so sad thinking back to the old days when I first moved to Florida. Those of you who never experienced old Florida, you don't know what you missed. It truly was special. 007

[@pamelamurray4741]

I currently live on Panama City Beach. I was just having that conversation with a customer yesterday. He was telling me about this area in the 60's. I remember it from the 80's. Today it's so over developed it's not desirable anymore.

[@PatHouseworth]

Grew up in Venice on the Gulf from 1953-63...sad to see what it has become, the Keys are even worse, because of the traffic and developers...Paradise Lost!

[@gravelydon7072]

Been here since 1962 ( 2 weeks after the Cuban Missile Crisis ) . We made infrequent trips to Key West until after Hurricane Andrew when the hospital at HAFB was closed. That meant dad had two choices for getting his medications from the government. Patrick AFB or Key West. After only a few trips to Patrick, we switched to Key West. Made dad happier too as he was a Master Chief and was well treated by those at Key West. A lot has changed since we got here almost 60 years ago.

[@crystallaws7050]

Still searching for"old Florida" I grew up here during the late '60s through the 80s and then moved away; recently returning. There's very little old Florida left

[@sconrey7]

thank the millions of realtors and land developers. all for the greeeeeed. its the american dream!

[@seaboard18]

Hi, I am going to be "That Guy"; -Seven Mile Bridge was completed in 1912, not 1916. There are photographs of the first train led by one of the road's 4-4-2 types carrying Flagler behind it readily available through Google to prove this. The temporary trestle and depot building at Knight's Key had been established by then to serve trains prior to the extension's completion. -There are negatives shown of Bahia-Honda while talking about.. Seven Mile? -The road was the "Florida East Coast", not the "Flagler Railway" -The 1935 storm only caused severe damage to specific portions of the route. Seven Mile Bridge was comparatively unscathed and required little (if any) repairs. The Mozer Channel swing bridge was still in service WELL beyond the initial destruction of the railroad There a number of stock images of locomotives, equipment, and other bridges that have little to do with Seven Mile and the Key West Extension..

[@marcusfieldfield4069]

Thanks for all that information " that guy "😂

[@DemPilafian]

Maybe the other videos on this channel are better, but this particular video felt like it was produced by a low-cost content mill.

[@PinkAgaricus]

Also, now that Hurricane Ian has passed, I feel like that last section about restoration was spoken too soon because of the aforementioned hurricane 2-3 months later which destroyed a lot of lower Florida. As usual the Keys and this road is probably hit the hardest since it was the first thing the hurricane crossed before hitting Fort Myers Beach. The destruction is still being covered.

[@dwellspompano]

When the video is talking about Marathon the picture shown of the little shack selling Bollos is located on Key West next to the Aquarium. 🙄

[@gaffnaldo1]

@@DemPilafian I was thinking the same, seemed very AI orientated

[@funkingfuss9724]

I was in College in Miami from '74 to '78 and my Room mate was from Key West. What a Wild Ride on the old 7 mile bridge. Semi truck doing 60 passing with just inches to spare! No such thing as stopping cause you have a flat tire, ride the rims Dude. And yes the guard rails were rail road Rails. And Seat Belts OMG No Way! If we go over I Didn't want to be locked in as we went down. LOL But we were seldom sober so it didn't matter. Thanks for bringing back some awesome memories. Can't believe we survived to become "Productive Citizens".

[@matthewwurtzel322]

When I visited the Keys in 2003, I had no idea you could visit the old bridge. Now I want to go back and check out the Pidgeon Key and the old bridge.

[@drdrew3]

Now the old bridge is full of fisherman, runners and cyclists. It’s a very unique structure with water views that don’t exist anywhere else in the US.

[@yoshit9819]

Living in Miami all my life. Im 59, And that drive never gets old.

[@007stopjockin]

TRUTH! So AMAZING! 007

[@jlc5639]

@@007stopjockin :)

[@frequentlycynical642]

My family lived on Long Island when and where I grew up in the 1950's. Mom and Dad decided we should spend February in Florida, towing a tiny house trailer behind our 1949 Studebaker Champion. Sixty horsepower, three on the column. Max speed, I think, 45mph. Anyway, I remember driving to Key West. Mom and Dad explaining the history of the bridges we drove on. We wound up moving to Sarasota, FL in 1959. I'm pretty sure I never went back to Key West after that early visit.

[@songweaver6076]

wow NY to to the Key's in the 50's???? wow!!!! Taking all 'local' roads down as interstates weren't finished yet...

[@victorringe9404]

Three speed with overdrive, flat head six.

[@frequentlycynical642]

@@victorringe9404 Definitely no overdrive.

[@frequentlycynical642]

@@songweaver6076 Yup. The major nortn-south highway was US301. We would pick that up at Baltimore, the northern terminus. Leave it at some point in Florida to use US 1 and other highways. The southern terminus of 301 is Sarasota, on the west coast. That intersection is a couple of blocks from my old high school.

[@Texassince1836]

@@frequentlycynical642 overdrive was pretty common on Studebakers, and offered by all the major US auto manufacturers at some point. It was bolted to the back of the 3 on the tree transmission, and cut in automatically. Ive got one im rebuilding right not.

[@chuckaddison5134]

I was born in Homestead, FL. Crossed that old bridge many times before we moved. There used to be two rails sticking up out of the water from Flaglers railroad.

[@gravelydon7072]

Been living here in Homestead for almost 60 years. At one point, we owned the NW corner home in Homestead.

[@tazmod7272]

As a kid I lived in Key West (1957-58). I remember going over the 7 mile bridge. In the 1990’s my wife and I visited Key West by driving. So we traveled on the newer 7 mile bridge. I found the house I lived in and the elementary school I went to.

[@jasonlacroix6083]

I've been in Florida since 1970. I bet KW was something spe oak back in the 50's. As a 6 year old in 1970, my older brother and I could feed our family several days a week catching stone crabs, blue crabs, sheepshead, redfish, mackerel, flounder, etc.. We lived right on the beach at Johns pass on treasure Island.

[@tazmod7272]

@@jasonlacroix6083 : The neighbor across the street had a shrimp fleet. We would always get fresh shrimp and fish that was caught. He was the only one, I think, other than the Navy base, now gone, that had an above ground swimming pool. Us kids were always playing in it. We rode our bikes everywhere. However, we weren’t allowed downtown without parents. We would catch conch, back when it was legal. Another neighbor knew how to cook it. Had great fun and a lot of good memories.

[@jasonlacroix6083]

@@tazmod7272 I feel for the kids today that are kept on a leash. At 6 and 7 years old, my brother and I were all over the fishing village we lived in. We would help the party boats load up ice, bait, etc., in exchange for some cheese crackers and a Yoo-Hoo. We'd help the teens on the beach that rented cabanas for the same deal. Be well!

[@tazmod7272]

@@jasonlacroix6083 : We use to deliver newspapers. Learned how to fold them. When I live in Michigan we would shovel off driveways and walks. We would even chip the ice away. We would ride our bikes looking for pop and beer bottles along the country roads. $0.02 a bottle back then. We had to be home by dinner time.

[@sarahdeshay1394]

I have spent many days as well as nights fishing from the old bridges. My favorite was the long key bridge on the ocean side of the new highway. We would walk about a mile out and set up tents, cook stoves, water cooler, as well as water to wash with, and lanterns and fishing gear. Those were enjoyable camping outings and I would recommend others to do the same.

[@kvom01]

I drove from Miami in 1970 in a car owned by a friend of my mother. Going in the afternoon was a big mistake as the sun was in my eyes the entire time. With the narrow roadway, it wasn't a fun drive. As a kid in the late 50s and 60s, we drove several times. Key West was a very calm place back then.

[@KeyWestChrisRehm]

I enjoyed this piece. Thank you. It should be stated that there are actually, forty-five bridges in the Florida Keys. Naturally, as it was known as The Eighth Wonder of the World when it was built, the Seven Mile Bridge is the most famous. A lot of the pictures shown in your video as the Seven Mile Bridge, were actually the Bahia Honda Bridge. This is the only bridge that utilized a full superstructure from the railroad, and the passenger car bridge was built on top of said superstructure.

[@gravelydon7072]

Interesting thing about that bridge was when it was converted, they jacked up some of the girder sections to tie the top of the truss bridge to the land for the road.

[@chrisSVT]

Hey bud!! I hope you are doing well! I'll reach out when I come to visit! Miss you and Dani!

[@KhaleesiStJames]

43 bridges!

[@grantdubridge7995]

I think it is great that the old bridge is still standing there and made into a walkway and fishing dock.

[@boogiedownforever]

I just love the Florida Keys. I have been going down there to winter a few months every winter. It is a shame to see how much it has been over developed and a playground for the rich. Locals are being pushed out by the rich and now the rich have no one to serve them food or make them drinks and the restaurants are closed two or three days a week to give staff a break

[@AIDAHAR210]

I wonder what would happen if all service industries and medical service left the keys for the mainland since none of them can afford to live there

[@boogiedownforever]

@@AIDAHAR210 well that is kind of happening now and that is why they are in a rush to build affordable housing

[@mE-zx7pt]

@@boogiedownforever I haven't heard of any rush to build affordable housing.

[@boogiedownforever]

@@mE-zx7pt well I guess I shall rephrase.....they are in lots of meetings talking about building some. they did a good job recently at the quarry on big cockpit key

[@samuelmontero6426]

The exact same thing is happening in West Palm Beach.

[@berated4541]

Great video. My mom actually grew up on Pigeon Key and lives in Marathon now. We used to visit every summer as my grandmother has lived in Marathon ever since they moved from Pigeon Key. They were the last family to live on the island before it was taken over by the state as historical landmark. They housed marine biology students from the mainland universities so that they could study the marine life. Seeing some of the old pictures you have in this video remind me of all the pictures my grandma used to show me. Such rich history!

[@aroukar47]

What happened to the family home on Pigeon Key? I imagine it was demolished or whatever, but I'd still like to hear about it.

[@berated4541]

@@aroukar47 The house my mom’s family lived in is still there. Since the state declared it a historical landmark while they were still living on the island it has remained mostly intact from what my mom can recall. Minus the tourist stuff.

[@thomasfreeman7770]

I can remember driving over the old bridge’s prior to the early 80s. It was narrow indeed. The railway track guardrail can still be seen today on the original structure. If you look close at the steel bridge sections you can see the original 18” water main that transferred water from Florida city on the mainland to key west. The pipe line has since been upsized with the new construction but the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority still operates several pump stations along the way to move the water along. This would be a good topic for another segment for this channel. The line was originally built to supply military facilities at key west.

[@wayneanderson8034]

I drove to Key West in October & it was like driving off the end of the Earth. It was an other worldly experience. I drove OTR & have been just about everywhere in the lower 48. There is nothing like the drive from Homestead to Key West, definitely should be a bucket list for travelers.

[@S.E.C-R]

This type of construction still just blows my mind that something like this could be done back in the early 1900’s with nearly zero technology and everything was done manually!

[@garyjones2582]

I took that bridge to the keys with my cousin just a few days before I went into the military.. October 1970.. What a gorgeous trip.. Thx Ryan for taking us along for the history lesson..

[@seanchesal5676]

Great video. Fun fact, a portion of the old bridge was featured at the end of the film "True Lies," you can still tell which portions were blown up for the sequence when driving by it to this day

[@dsolosan]

Fun fact: the bridge that was blown up for the movie was a miniature, not the real, old bridge.

[@danmoriarty6901]

Florida resident here. Amazing video. One thing you forgot to mention was the traffic. A few months ago going from Marathon to Homestead took us 6 hours. 90% of it is only one lane in each direction

[@BrandonJXN2]

This channel always has stories you never knew you wanted to hear about.

[@debrahelmlinger6256]

My family moved from New Jersey to Marathon in 1949. My Grandfather Bud Helmlinger was a carpenter and built many buildings in around Marathon. He also built the Honeymoon cottage on Pidegen Key so exact to the other buildings that it was allowed to remain while additions he put on some of the other buildings had to be torn off once the island recieved historical status. Spent many summers camping on Long Key and visited so often from Broward County that the locals thought I was a local🤣 last of the family left in 2003 and I haven't been since 2013, but we are all returning this year as my neice is getting married in Key West🤗

[@MadDog6945]

I’ve lived in Florida all my life, which happens to be 52 years. In that time, I’ve only been down to the keys by car once. It was in the early 1980s and my parents drove both me and my brother over the old 7 mile bridge. I remember it being rickety, narrow, and scary as hell. We drove all the way to Marathon where we stayed for a few days and did some fishing. Later we drove further to Key West. Back then, it was not built up or heavily populated and most of the tourists were bikers and other local families who are there to fish and enjoy the pristine water. I haven’t been back in over 40 years even though I still live in Florida because I know that the keys are like a congested stuffed up nose. They are full of mucus and phlegm brought on by developers and tourists who have ruined a beautiful part of our country.

[@MichaelJordan-uo2ke]

I am keys resident key largo. Part of problem is that developers are giving priority to rich people. After hurricaine Irma, business had issues getting workers. Why their places were distroyed. Government people said there wasnt much room to build places for workers in Keys. Yet they built new places that catered to rich. Same time I recall there being a job fair in southern Miami in Palmetto. They were talking about busing people from there to key west. Thats solid 6 hours round trip commute per day. WTF That said, I do like Key Largo, there still is community spirit there.

[@8corymix8]

That's not at all correct. I'm from Michigan & we travel to the Key's almost every year. Amazing place to visit. Surprising comment from someone who lived in Florida his whole life. Where would you rather go, trash Miami? Lol

[@8corymix8]

@@MichaelJordan-uo2ke his comment is ridiculous. The Keys are beautiful from Key Largo, down to Key West. It's a beautiful place to visit & I'm sure to live.

[@MadDog6945]

@@8corymix8 Sure, Buddy. You're the expert.

[@gravelydon7072]

@@MichaelJordan-uo2ke Buses run all the time from Homestead to the Keys.

[@alphaod]

I just drove down the Keys a month ago and it's fascinating to watch a video about the older bridges because the entire way our family was wondering about the history of it all. Awesome video.

[@KabukeeJo]

One of my most amazing driving experiences was driving the entire length of that bridge back in 2004.

[@Arltratlo]

i drove the Storebæltsbroen and the Øresundsbroen twice on a single day...

[@donnafrflorida56]

I did it on a 1200 Harley davidson

[@nickicouture7297]

Oh yay!! I’m especially excited for this video. My parents recently moved to Marathon and I’ve gotten enmeshed in the history of the area. Key west is so beautiful and it’s crazy to me how OLD it is !

[@FloridaManMatty]

You really need to do a deep dive on Henry Flagler. He is still an unbelievably prominent figure in my hometown (St. Augustine, Florida - The Nation’s Oldest City). I was born in Flagler Hospital and currently live less than a mile from Flagler College. St. Augustine is in St. Johns County, immediately north of Flagler County. Flagler College is housed in one of his original hotels and is just up the street (King Street) from the old Florida East Coast Railroad HQ. Flagler’s fingerprints are all over this humble little town. We likely never would have been much more than a quaint drinking village with a fishing problem without his investment and vision.

[@thorrollosson]

Interesting stuff! I visited there when I was about ten or so, and we visited the San Marcos fort. Really cool history abounds down there for sure.

[@FloridaManMatty]

@@thorrollosson Castillo de San Marcos! Locals call it “The Old Fort”. It’s a beautiful structure. My father helped build the defensive wall that’s on the grounds from the fort to the City Gates just across the street near St. George Street when he worked for the NPS. This town is positively crawling with history. Apart from being home, it’s just a beautiful place.

[@lynneslade513]

When I was a kid we lived in the North Bay Area and our parents during the summer loved to take us into San Francisco on the weekends. It was so exciting to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge but no place to pull over if you have a flat tire or other emergency. Glad the newer bridges they think about that now.

[@mikeyj9607]

In 73 I was stationed at Homestead AFB ,on a fourth of july weekend a bunch of us said hey lets go party in key West,I ended up driving ,I remember seeing what was left of the old railroad bridge all the lovely keys ,also really remember how much fun it was driving on that narrow bridge with the setting sun in my eyes ,the gang was asking why I didn't say much on that drive,if they only knew lol

[@winterwatson6811]

i know no one is taking about brightline service to key west and i can’t imagine there’s a business case, but i would pay good money for a window seat on an overseas train

[@mikesullivan2075]

I have been going to the keys since 76 we traveled over the old bahia Honda bridge. That was scarry. Built a house on ramrod key 27 mm jamaica lane. The new 7 mile bridge was built because a car and a fuel hauler met under the old turnstile killing the operator. Many good memories I was 15 towing our boat down to the keys ask my dad if I could drive I started out with one hand on the wheel by the time I got to the end I pulled over and I pryde my hands of the wheel. The best was a bar in stock island as you were leaving key west on the side of the building they painted free beer tommorrow and it never came.

[@dennisadorno6721]

I have been to FL many time, but a few years ago we took a family trip from NY to The Keys...Loved it, want to do it again.

[@005connect9]

I grew up in south Florida and traveled this bridge many many times, it’s a Shame what’s become of the old bridge but the new ones do the job. The only swing bridge we have currently (that I know of) is actually in a Ft Lauderdale neighborhood known as sailboat bend. We used to climb it and jump off into the river during summer vacation in high school. Growing up down here was such a blessing.

[@german-engineering1963]

I visited all the lower keys every 4-5 years since 1990s, and every time I visited there, the environment changed drastically. Somehow the keys do not hold their charm and mystical paradise of Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville" any longer. Nowaday, RV trailer parks are everywhere, and tourist traffic on every weekend clogged US-1 all the way from Key West to Miami. Road rages and angry "Salt Life" fishermen towing their huge watercrafts just make the driving an awful experience. Unlike the old days, when the driving experience was so relaxful across that narrow strip of land next to the mangroves, feeling as though you were Jesus Christ driving across the water in your favorite VW Beetle convertible, now you can't see any water at all except for water parks, hotels, plazas, new multi-million dollar mansions, shops and restaurants. I really missed the days of old Florida and Keys.

[@1glopz]

you just need to know when the peak traffic hours and days are I live in Miami and we frequently drive down to isla morada for a wonderful dinner watching the sunset best luck my friend

[@nthgth]

I went there a few years ago. It was very relaxing and we had a great time relaxing and hanging out in Key West. The drive was fine both ways, too. I'm sorry you're unable to enjoy it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kingboagart899]

I used to go to Saigon in the 60's and it was a nice place to relax after a couple of months in the swamps. Hardly any traffic and lot's of familiar faces about.. Now it's just like everywhere else in the world. Those were the good old days.

[@jski7355]

I couldn't agree more . Most first time visitors see the modern version of the Keys .Most true Conchs have passed on or been displaced because they can't afford to live there .To meet a true Conch that has seen the change over the decades is very rare .

[@discipleoftheLordJesusChrist]

it is not a convenient thing to take the name of the Lord in vain. You should *repent.*

[@michaelsmiley15]

The issue with Florida's overseas highway is very simple It started out as a railroad bridge for a freight that could be shipped all the way down to key West it was not intended for motor vehicles and when they decommissioned the rail line they simply riped up all the tracks and put concrete down and they thought that it would continue to live out its use as an overseas highway and when they started having structural failures they realized that building brand new freeway all the way down to key West was the only solution There were a lot of engineering mistakes that went into trying to convert the old railroad grade into a freeway the primary being that it was not designed to handle the climate of Southern Florida as well as all of the weather anomalies of Southern Florida hurricanes and such the new freeway structure with the built slightly lower to the water and it would be designed to withstand the winds and the salt water and so forth

[@prestonrobert2625]

Thank you

[@jamessimms415]

Yea but you have to remember vehicles were much smaller then. Even so, the old bridge was still narrow. Even so, the railroad would have been doomed when ships became more efficient & bypassed Key West.

[@marknesselhaus4376]

Boy that takes me back to my childhood back in the late 50's and 60's. I lived in Hialeah and still remember a few car trips over the old bridge and it was scary to me as a child. I moved away in the 90's but might someday take a trip to the keys once again someday. Thanks for this video history🙂

[@swimcat2333]

The new bridge RUINED the keys so sad. Florida IS the most exploded place I have seen in my life time, what a simple beautiful paradise. Was cheap , the keys almost no air-conditioning . I lived on Stock Island ( no air-conditioning, dirt road) . Simple lovely

[@mE-zx7pt]

That sounds lovely but how did you manage without air conditioning?

[@worldgirl5537]

I lived in key west from 1984 to 1987. Actualy stock island. We drove on the bridge several times. It was exciting. Right before we moved they were requiring mobils and homes to be built up 6 ft dur to hurricanes. Trailers were all tied down. There was a tom thumb store up the road and my husbands brother from cuba was killed in a bar there called boca chica i think. I liked deval st and sloppy joes bar. Nobody had air conditioners just fans it was so humid. Didnt have heaters either alot didnt cause it didnt get cold enough. Have a picture standing by the bell that says 90 miles cuba. Also malerey square and the sunsets were the best. Also boat races around the island. It was really nice and i learned how to make cuban food dishes. Survived 1 hurricane while there. It was scary and after it was over little crabs were tootiling down the street and the water was so clean and clear. Good times.

[@crankychris2]

@@mE-zx7pt Few people had a/c anywhere in FL during the 50's and 60's.

[@jefferyepstein9210]

@@mE-zx7pt House fans. Open the windows and turn on the fan. Was a constant breeze throughout the house. It wasn't cool like AC but it made it tolerable.

[@MervynPartin]

This video was fascinating. I knew some of the history but I have now learned even more- thank you. We once had a 2 week vacation with 1 week in Miami and the 2nd week in Islamorada. We wish that we had spent both weeks on the Keys- they were wonderful and better than Miami. A hoped-for return did not happen because of hurricane damage, regrettably. During our visit, we walked over the old Seven Mile Bridge and loved it. Fish were clearly visible in the waters below and pelicans flew alongside us. We were surprised to see the road sign warning of ice, but even Florida gets frost occasionally.

[@ericschneider8524]

I had a work buddy that went from Fort Myers to the keys for a vacation in the 80s. I heard that he got keys disease and never came back.

[@MervynPartin]

@@ericschneider8524I can understand and envy him!

[@stephenmoerlein8470]

Thanks for posting. Driving the Keys is now on my bucket list!

[@ERSwanger]

This was really interesting, thank you for doing it!

[@frankrizzo4460]

I remember crossing that bridge as a kid with my family back in the 70s and being so scared it was only two lanes and the on coming traffic was so close to your car. So glad years later they built a bigger bridge.

[@1glopz]

And you were not driving an 18 wheeler that had to fold in the mirror to be able to pass another like truck on the way over the bridge

[@frankrizzo4460]

@@1glopz Wow now that's unbelievable 😳

[@maketrax1]

You keep talking about how segments of the Seven Mile Bridge are deteriorating, yet you show pictures of the old Bahia Honda Bridge. I wish you would correct that.

[@jp99575w]

My family moved to the Keys (Marathon) in 1960, I was raised here. The swing span was not damaged by Hurricane Donna in 1960. In 1981 a backhoe loaded on a truck crossing the Seven-Mile Bridge hit the overhead bridge tender’s shack, rupturing a 1,000-gallon propane tank, causing a fire that killed the bridge tender and destroyed the swing bridge mechanisms. The bridge was closed for 22 hours, the heat was so intense it melted and twisted the steel beams of the bridge and for a period of time was opened to just 1 lane traffic until it was inspected to allow 2 lane traffic again safely. The swing bridge was never fixed and was removed when the new Seven-Mile Bridge opened.

[@RobSchellinger]

My grandfather was a lineman supervisor for Southern Bell in Miami. My grandparents always talked about how the U-boats had mined the old bridge with explosives and how you could see the ships burning, from downtown, after they left Miami and were attacked. During the missile crisis, my grandfather was in charge of installing communications at the KW naval base and kept my grandmother informed as much as he was allowed to.

[@robertnussberger6449]

Under those bridges is the best fishing ever. And shark watching

[@Kyntteri]

"The bridge is out!" -Arnold Schwarzenegger

[@austinaubinoe]

I was born in key west and my aunt and uncle lived in Islamorada for decades. It will always be my home no matter where I live. People like Henry Flagler are what make America great, they pushed the limited and went against the majority opinion to accomplish the impossible. Great summary you made here.

[@gregphillips1998]

I was going to say that it was there long after Hurricane Donna. I traveled over that bridge many times. The bridge was so narrow that school buses and tractor trailers would sometimes hit mirrors. My Aunt, Uncle and Cousins lived on Big Pine Ley for many years. My Uncle was killed on the seven mile bridge in a auto accident. My Aunt finally moved out sometime in the mid 80’s.

[@Sapphirez100]

the swing bridge was not removed until the early 80s, I lived there then, I can not even count how many times I crossed the old 7 mile. There was an explosion after a truck hit the propane tank, that killed the bridge keeper, Peter C. Fancher. And pretty well destroyed the swing bridge. It was the bridge keepers last day of work when he was killed. I think that would have been an important part of your history lesson. SO no they did not stop using the old 7 mile until the early 80s. Also it might have been important to tell about how the University of Miami had a marine biology station on Pigeon key for students.And that was the only thing on Pigeon key for a long time. Also there is another island called Sunshine key west of Pigeon. That is where there was a RV park for a long time.

[@DanielJStahl]

I remember this bridge from my childhood. We drove it a few times and I remember seeing the older bridge but I didn't think anyone used it. Also the bridge was a filming location at the end of the 90s action movie True Lies.

[@kashiro2492]

been on this once and it deff was one of the coolest roadtrips ever

[@TheCarnivalguy]

I resided in Marathon, the Florida Keys, for almost a decade. My Saturdays were usually spent in Key West, so that also meant a trip over the seven mile bridge. Although after some time the drive became routine, my eyes never failed to glance out over the azure and aqua waters to behold their sheer beauty. Throw in a magnificent sunset along the bridge. That is not to be missed. Cheers

[@suzannehartmann946]

DO not underestimate an eighth grade education in 1830s. Try looking up a first grade reader from those days. Today's SIXTH graders would have trouble with the vocabulary. Never mind the math from that age group. Plus the civics and history lessons and the intense memorization. Science was not as up to date but was much more used in daily life.

[@OrganNLou]

Florida used to be beautiful, but has overgrown, as too many people have moved there.

[@crankychris2]

I've lived in S Florida for 68 years, you are 100% correct. Living on the water here is very expensive. Living anywhere down here is pricey.

[@roberthepburn7461]

My last duty station was Marine Barracks U.S.Naval Air Station key West FL it was nice since I grew up in gibsonton FL I had driven across the 7mi bridge many times in a semi truck and back then when two semi's met on the bridge you had to pull your driver's side mirror in or you would have to replace them in Miami when you returned,the new bridge was a big improvement

[@anthonyflexas]

Great video start forward and to the point!

[@Backroad_Junkie]

The reason Flagler built the railroad was to get coal to Key West. He thought with the completion of the Panama Canal, ships would have to stop to restock coal. Unfortunately for Flagler, ships were quickly converting to oil, and had no need to stop at Key West. Ironic, that. I drove the road from one end to the other (and obviously back) because... Well, because you have to, lol...

[@JoeOvercoat]

Thank you for that insight. So much for his foresight with his investments. Course the good news for him was that everyone in the world had his back since he was rich already.

[@JUNKERS488]

Hi, Thank you for doing such a great and accurate job on this video. I am a 5th. generation Conch. I remember growing up going over the old 7 mile bridge with my uncle and grandfather towing a trailer with my uncles Stock car or his race boat for races in Miami. Not only was the old bridge very narrow but back then all the cars were much wider too. You would almost have to pull against the side and stop if a Semi or other type of large truck was going by in the opposite lane.

[@MyrtleBeachbigwheel]

Nice video great info

[@deannacrownover3]

I used to live in Marathon, which is one key over from Sombrero key and, connected by Seven Mile Bridge. It was so cool, we took the day off, to watch the filmmakers doing "True Lies" and watching the demolition experts blow up the original bridge! Ships were getting taller, masts were getting taller so they were starting to hit the underside of the old bridge. I don't live in Marathon anymore because of hurricane Andrew. I lost everything (we had a generational sugar plantation in homestead that was completely annihilated and that's what provided the finances for me to actually live in the keys and work on a charter boat) but, the keys are a magnificently beautiful place to live! It does get dicey during hurricane season though! We will never forget what happened to that train load of soldiers.

[@KeyLargoDude]

You are mixing pictures of the Bahia Honda bridge with the Seven mile bridge your video the slide show. The double decked metal bridge is not the 7 Mile bridge, it's the Bahia Honda bridge two completely separate bridges...

[@007stopjockin]

You know your history buddy! 007

[@jonh901271]

Our family drove the two lane roads/bridges back in the 70s. It wasn't terrifying....it was slow. There was rarely any room to pass a slow vehicle so a trip to Key West could be a long, slow slog.

[@charlesrocks]

The Overseas Highway was an engineering marvel. I remember driving over the newer bridge in 2015 and it was amazing.

[@svdagoat7972]

Been living in the Keys since '94 graduated Key West in '07 I wouldn't trade it for the world it's truly paradise but it's not the same little island it used to be, all the rich yankees from the north came down bought up all the land and ruined this place, jacked up the rent 3x higher than normal but at the same time its the same tourists that pump money into the town and keeps it afloat how ironic.

[@philipdaley368]

What!? No mention of complete sections of the bridge being blown up during filming of "True Lies"!?

[@allangibson2408]

They weren’t. They used a model and radio controlled cars.

[@jaydibernardo4320]

@@allangibson2408 That I didn't know. Thx!

[@allangibson2408]

@@jaydibernardo4320 Thats why they pay special effects guys so much money - so you don’t notice. CGI made it much easier over the last 30 years once computers got fast enough and enough memory - each frame of 35 mm film requires 8 to 16 Gigabytes of memory to render. (Which is why the Lunar Landings are not CGI - because 8 GB of computer memory was more than the total on the planet in 1969…)

[@robotx9285]

@@allangibson2408 I miss real life miniature models being used in TV Shows and Movies. Both CGI and miniatures have their benefits, I feel models can add some grit that could be difficult to make with CGI.

[@ShireGanj]

If you’ve ever been to Florida Keyes you’d know there is virtually no sand anywhere. The only beach is Bahia Honda and it’s flooded at high tide. Cool article. I spent lots of time there as a kid on summer vacation. Fantastic memories😎

[@Frisian_man]

great high quality videos keep up the good work

[@roberttrott5259]

I lost count of the inaccuracies in this account. I struggled to watch it to the end.

[@bikeny]

The music is really annoying too. Same problem I have with some other channels that like to use music while the narration goes on. So, do I watch the muted video and read closed captioning or watch the video while my brain fights to block out the music. For all that is holy, please, KZbin narrators, knock it off with the music while you are speaking. If I want music, I'll watch actual music videos. Thank you.

[@KevinSiebert]

I want to see brightline restore the rails and made a station at Key West

[@ashleighelizabeth5916]

The one and only time I traveled to Key West on the Overseas Hwy was in 1976. I was only 4 and my parents and I were going to visit relatives in Key West. I can't remember very much of the trip but the one thing that stands out in my mind to this day is watching the sunset from the backseat of my dad's car as we traveled over 7 mile bridge.

[@johncooper4637]

In the 1970s I was in field service and had terminals located in Key West, Marathon and several others. The 7 mile bridge was a narrow 2 lane bridge where you could get stuck behind an RV who did not know where the side of his motorhome was. I found plates from the railroad at the end of the 7 mile bridge when SCUBA diving.

[@patentexperts1675]

The original vehicle/auto bridges were so narrow that you had to sometimes pull your side view mirrors in to avoid hitting the oncoming vehicle. ALSO: your speed needed to be greatly reduced to be able to navigate with on coming traffic.

[@MarinCipollina]

18 wheelers approaching each other from opposite directions would slow to a crawl.

[@BlackheartCharlie]

"Save the Keys. Blow the bridges." (A bumper sticker you'll sometimes see here in Key West. One that I sort of agree with. ) Capt. Blackheart Charlie Cayo Hueso

[@Breezybree63]

. I lived in Big Pine and worked in Marathon. I loved driving the old 7 mile bridge and watching the new bridges being built was amazing ( and aggravating at the same time). I miss living in the Keys…..

[@RobertBeck-pp2ru]

1966, stationed in Key West sonar school, three other sailors and myself decided to go fishing from the 7-mile bridge. We arrived late Friday afternoon and set about rigging our lines over the edge, letting the fast current of the tide take the hooked bonita bait about a hundred feet from the bridge. We settled down on the catwalk, eating some snacks and drinking beer. When it was time to go to sleep, we wrapped the secured lines around several beer cans and drifted off to slumberland. About 4 a.m. beer cans began flying . Using a boat winch and a grappling hook, we hauled up a 200 pound grouper ( or jewfish ) on one of our lines...the biggest fish I had ever seen. You could slide your lower body into its mouth. A minute later, more cans began flying from a second line.We had caught a 6 foot hammerhead shark, which proved to be a lot harder to grapple and raise to the decking. The shark was near dead by the time we got it unhooked. We carefully pushed it over the side, a 40 foot drop. I don't think it survived. We sold the grouper to a fish market the next morning, splitting the cash between us. I will always remember that weekend on the old 7-mile bridge. Good times.

[@falloutpictures]

I'm surprised you've included the main street bridge in Jacksonville

[@ad2181]

You are confusing when you talking about the seven mile bridge and showing the Bia-honda bridge.

[@RailengineerGaming]

It’s funny Im born and raised in Florida all my life and still love learning new facts about florida

[@AminaZaira777]

Growing up as a kid, my mom used to tell me lots of stories about the old 7 mile bridge being two lanes and people dying in lots of car accidents in the 60s and 70s when she was a kid. And if you go on the old bridge you can see why. on the new bridge, still very treacherous, my friends father passed away in a tragic accident I’ve been fishing on the bridge, and I’ve even camped out and pitched a tent and slept on the bridge. Florida Keys is definitely the most beautiful part of Florida, which is hard to say in this state.

[@cratecruncher6687]

Similar story with the Galveston Causeway, probably influenced by the Florida project. These areas are highly corrosive environments year round with a magnitude 5 hurricane every thirty years taking out the weakened structure. In other words: public money pits, haha.

[@Matt_from_Florida]

09:30 09:36 09:48 *(every single picture* from 10:17 to 10:34) Why are you showing these pictures of the (old) Bahia Honda Bridge while talking about The Seven Mile Bridge? Every picture from 11:07 to 11:15 is showing the construction of *the current* Seven Mile Bridge, not the restoration of the old one. 09:51 The old Moser Channel swing-span was demolished after Hurricane Donna in 1960 (you say)? No. It survived until a fiery accident occurred in 1981 which killed the bridge tender, Peter C. Fancher. There is an inset metal plaque commemorating that event at the highest point of the current Seven Mile Bridge as it goes over The Moser Channel. The old swing-span's mechanical-mechanisms were never repaired (after the 1981 accident) and thus it remained permanently in its closed position (allowing vehicular traffic) until it was removed following the opening of the new 7-mile bridge in 1982.

[@dustindavis5722]

Great video!

[@ITSHISTORY]

Thank you!

[@Taffthat]

I stayed on Pigeon Key in 2009 when I was in High School as part of a Marine Biology school trip. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve experienced in my life!

[@localcrew]

We are here in the Keys right now and were on Seven Mile Bridge a couple days ago. It’s an amazing structure. It was used in the climactic scene in the Schwarzenegger film “True Lies”. Clips are on KZbin. Check it out. Just subscribed!

[@Category12]

Love this video. 👍

[@MikeBaxterABC]

Great Video!!! .. I did not know many of the interesting facts!! .. My Father (rip) spent a great deal of time in the Keys back in the 1950's :)

[@njlauren]

This is kind of click bait. The old highway was built over the bed of the old Flagler overseas rail line in the 30s. What happened was the old bridges were outdated by the 70s and needed replacement. The big tragedy was the hurricane of 1936, a lot of men working on the highway died.

[@syxepop]

Not clickbait... Just that to do justice to what happened here either this format (less than 15m) or The History Guy's (15-20m) are NOT ENOUGH. You need about 25-30m to go in enough detail about the issues you and I know.

[@areyoujelton]

RIP Old Florida. The Great Real Estate Boom off the 2020s has killed you.

[@richardplanck5650]

My two boys are at camp this week at Pigeon Key, beautiful place so much history.