Pigeon Key Historic District

The Pigeon Key Historic District is a U.S. historic district (designated as such on March 16, 1990) located on Pigeon Key in Florida. The district is off U.S. 1 at mile marker 45. It contains 11 historic buildings and 3 structures. Although the old Seven Mile Bridge crosses over the island, at approximately mile marker 45, west of Knight's Key, (city of Marathon in the middle Florida Keys) and just east of Moser Channel, which is the deepest section of the seven-mile span, it and its exit ramp to the island were closed in 2008. Since then, access has been by ferry or private watercraft only,[1] but in 2014 FDOT approved a $77 million plan to restore it.[2]

Pigeon Key Historic District
Southern part of Pigeon Key, viewed from the old Seven Mile Bridge
LocationMonroe County, Florida
Nearest cityIslamorada
Coordinates24°42′14″N 81°9′19″W
Area50 acres (20 ha)
NRHP reference No.90000443
Added to NRHPMarch 16, 1990

The island is named "Cayo Paloma" on many old Spanish charts.

The island is said to be named for large flocks of white-crowned pigeons (Columba leucocephala Linnaeus) which once roosted there.[3] During the building of Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad Key West Extension, a major construction depot was located there, the jumping off point for construction of the Seven Mile Bridge. A number of buildings from the Flagler era remain on the island. They are now part of the Pigeon Key Historic District.

A rare three-way bridge, now partially abandoned, is located there.

This place was featured during the 18th-season finale as the Finish Line of the hit-reality series, The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business.

  • Partial view of Pigeon Key. The old Seven Mile Bridge is shown crossing the island in the background. The exit ramp is shown to the left.
  • Pigeon Key, from the east. Old Seven Mile Bridge on right, new one on left
  • Assistant bridge tender's house
  • Old bridge and foreman's house
  • Ramp that comes off old bridge
  • Under ramp that comes off old bridge
  • Old bridge
  • Old bridge

References
  1. Toppino, Nancy (2008-11-18). Florida Keys and Key West. Globe Pequot Press. p. 271. ISBN 9780762748716. Retrieved 2015-01-17.
  2. Elaine, Glusac (2014-04-03). "In the Keys, New Plans for an Old Bridge". New York Times. Retrieved 2015-01-17.
  3. "Tiny island holds a lot of history". Keynoter Publishing Company Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
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