[Florida History] Souvenir of Key West, Florida: The Island City [1916]

Key West, Fla.: Frank Johnson, Jewelry and Souvenirs, 1916. A Very Good Soft cover. Very Good.

A bit of soiling, foxing and wear to wrappers; small stain on the fore edge of the rear wrapper. No flaws to the interior. Title page, leaf of text, & 16 Albertype [i.e. collotype] plates from photographs, some with multiple images. 13.5x18.5 cm (5¼x7¼"), original wrappers with bird's-eye view, ribbon tie.. Rare and captivating view book - One copy in Institutional Holdings at the State library of Florida.

Unique with many of the photos Bird's Eye Views including of the Island tip on the cover; the Florida East Coast Railroad Terminal, U.S. Naval Station, Post Office, and Custom House; Wireless Station. Other photos include Hotels, Naval Yard, Overseas Rail Line and Bridges; Convent of Mary Immaculate; Light House; Sponge Market.

Background:
Key West was relatively isolated until 1912, when it was connected to the Florida mainland via the Overseas Railway extension of Henry M. Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway (FEC). Key West prospered as trainloads of wealthy from the north would come to stay on Key West, at the exclusive resort Flagler had built.

Historically, these photos record Key West immediately after Flager brought a boom and before Key West experienced the severe Hurricane of 1919 on September 9. More than $2 million of damages were incurred by the category 4 hurricane.