The History of Pigeon key

History

Pigeon Key is a unique destination located in the Florida Keys and most people know us as the “tiny island under the Old 7 Mile Bridge.” Located in Marathon, Florida, our history dates back to the early 1900’s when the island was used as a work-camp for the men who built the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway. Henry Flagler was an essential figure in Florida’s agriculture and tourism industries well before he designed the railway extension to connect mainland Florida to the Florida Keys island chain.

Pigeon Key was formed in 1992 after the island was designated as as National Historic Landmark and the rest is history! Our mission is to protect the cultural history of the Florida Keys through education and research and has worked hard since it’s inception to restore and maintain the grounds and buildings that date back to 1908. These historical buildings that once used to house workers, now are utilized for our marine science education programs as classrooms and bunk-houses. The Assistant Bridge Tender’s House is our on-island museum that features artifacts, portraits and stories of those who have called this island home over the last 100+ years.

Our daily island tours allow you to take a trip back in time and learn something new about this amazing piece of American history. We love sharing our island paradise with visitors of all ages and hope you can enjoy the beauty that surrounds “the tiny island under the Old 7 Mile Bridge.”

Pigeon Key is a unique destination located in the Florida Keys and most people know us as the “tiny island under the Old 7 Mile Bridge.” Located in Marathon, Florida, our history dates back to the early 1900’s when the island was used as a work-camp for the men who built the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway. Henry Flagler was an essential figure in Florida’s agriculture and tourism industries well before he designed the railway extension to connect mainland Florida to the Florida Keys island chain.

Pigeon Key was formed in 1992 after the island was designated as as National Historic Landmark and the rest is history! Our mission is to protect the cultural history of the Florida Keys through education and research and has worked hard since it’s inception to restore and maintain the grounds and buildings that date back to 1908. These historical buildings that once used to house workers, now are utilized for our marine science education programs as classrooms and bunk-houses. The Assistant Bridge Tender’s House is our on-island museum that features artifacts, portraits and stories of those who have called this island home over the last 100+ years.

Our daily island tours allow you to take a trip back in time and learn something new about this amazing piece of American history. We love sharing our island paradise with visitors of all ages and hope you can enjoy the beauty that surrounds “the tiny island under the Old 7 Mile Bridge.”