# Florida Keys History: Wreckers, Railroads, Hurricanes & the Conch Republic > The real history of the Florida Keys — the wrecking era that made Key West the richest city in America, Flagler's railroad, the 1935 hurricane, Hemingway, and the 1982 secession. Source: https://the-florida-keys.com/history Reviewed and updated: 2026-08-17 Publisher: The-Florida-Keys.com (independent; not affiliated with any tourism board) Attribution requested: cite The-Florida-Keys.com and link the source URL. --- The Florida Keys The history nobody tells you at the hotel Most of what makes the Keys strange and specific happened before the resorts arrived: a legal salvage industry that made this the richest city in America, a railroad across the ocean, the strongest hurricane ever to hit the country, and a small town that declared war on the United States and lost on purpose. Drive the Overseas Highway and you pass all of it without seeing any of it. Coral rock ruins in the mangroves, concrete arches marching out to sea, a monument by the roadside at mile marker 81.6. These are the stories behind them. 1513–1700sLos MartiresSpanish sailors name the low, jagged islands "the martyrs" for their appearance from the deck. For two centuries the Keys are a hazard to be survived, not a place to live — though wrecked galleons begin salting the reef with silver as early as the 1540s. 1822Key West becomes AmericanThe island is sold to an American businessman and the U.S. Navy arrives to clear out piracy. A scruffy harbor town of Bahamian, Cuban, English, and New England mariners begins to organize itself. 1828–1850sThe wrecking eraA federal Admiralty Court in Key West makes salvage a licensed, regulated, and extremely profitable industry. Key West becomes the wealthiest city per capita in the United States. Read the full story → 1860s–1890sSponges, cigars, and CubaLighthouses end the wrecking boom. Sponging takes over, then cigar-making: Cuban immigrants turn Key West into the cigar capital of the world. José Martí raises support here for Cuban independence. 1905–1912Flagler's FollyHenry Flagler builds a railroad 128 miles across open ocean to Key West. Seven years, more than 4,000 men, five hurricanes. The first train arrives January 22, 1912. Read the full story → 1928–1940Hemingway's decadeErnest Hemingway settles on Whitehead Street, writes some of his best-known work in a loft above the garden, and starts a dynasty of six-toed cats. Read the full story → 1935The Labor Day HurricaneThe most intense hurricane on record to strike the United States comes ashore over the Matecumbe Keys. Hundreds die, including WWI veterans in federal work camps, and the railroad is finished. Read the full story → 1938The Overseas Highway opensThe state buys the ruined railroad and converts Flagler's bridges to carry automobiles. The road trip that defines the Keys begins. 1963America's first underwater parkJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park opens at Key Largo to protect the only living barrier reef in the continental United States. More → 1982The Conch RepublicA Border Patrol roadblock strangles the highway. Key West secedes, declares war, surrenders in about a minute, and requests foreign aid. The roadblock comes down. Read the full story → The long reads 1905–1935 · The Railroad The railroad that went to sea How a 75-year-old oil millionaire built the impossible across 128 miles of open water — and where you can still walk on it today. September 2, 1935 · MM 81.6 The Labor Day Hurricane The strongest storm ever to hit the United States, the veterans' camps, and the rescue train that arrived at exactly the wrong moment. 1820s–1850s · Key West The wreckers Salvaging ships off the reef was legal, court-regulated, and lucrative enough to make this the richest city in America. 1928–1940 · MM 0 Hemingway's Key West The house, the books, the pool that cost him his last penny, and the truth about those six-toed cats. April 23, 1982 The Conch Republic The day Key West seceded from the United States, declared war, surrendered, and asked for foreign aid. MM 106 → MM 0 The mile marker guide What's at every marker on the Overseas Highway, and how to read the Keys' address system like a local.