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In 1853, U.S. Senator David Levy Yulee chartered the Florida Railroad with an ambitious vision to link the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean by rail. Construction began in 1855, with Fernandina as its bustling starting point on the east coast; just six years later, it came to bridge 155.5 miles arriving at the western terminus in the Cedar Keys on March 1, 1861. The success was primarily attributed to Senator Yulee’s efforts as president and chief stockholder; his grand project brought much-needed growth opportunities for Floridians and a new era for the growing island port of the Cedar Keys.

Learn more about the history of the first coast-to-coast Florida Railroad and Cedar Key by visiting the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum, or come back to our website soon!