Pigeon Key facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pigeon Key Historic District
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Partial view of Pigeon Key from the new Seven Mile Bridge. The old bridge crossing the island and exit ramp can be seen.
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off US 1 at mile marker 45, Monroe County, Florida |
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| Nearest city | Islamorada |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1912 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Frame |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000443 |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1990 |
Pigeon Key is a small, historic island in Florida. It's only about 5-acre (2.0-hectare) big. This island is home to eight special buildings. These buildings are so important they are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Many of these buildings are from a long time ago. They were built when Pigeon Key was a work camp. This camp was for people building the Florida East Coast Railway. Today, these old buildings are used for different things. Some house students who come for educational trips. Others are offices for the Pigeon Key Foundation. There's even a small museum. It shows old items and pictures from the island's past.
Pigeon Key is located near the old Seven Mile Bridge. You can find it around mile marker 45. This is west of Knight's Key and east of Moser Channel. The island is in the middle of the Florida Keys, near the city of Marathon.
The island was first called "Cayo Paloma" by the Spanish. This means "Pigeon Key." It got its name because many white-crowned pigeons used to live there.
Between 1908 and 1912, something amazing happened. Henry Flagler built his Overseas Railroad to Key West. During this time, up to 400 workers lived on Pigeon Key. They built many bridges in the Florida Keys. The biggest one was the Seven Mile Bridge. It connected Knight's Key and Little Duck Key. This bridge was so impressive, people called it "the 8th Wonder of the World." Many buildings from Flagler's time are still on the island. They are now part of the Pigeon Key Historic District.
Pigeon Key has also been a filming location. Parts of the 1978 TV movie Hunters of the Reef were filmed there. It was also used in the 1995 TV series Flipper. You can see it in three episodes from the first season. In 2011, Pigeon Key was the finish line for The Amazing Race 18 "Unfinished Business".
Pigeon Key Historic District
The Pigeon Key Historic District is a special area on Pigeon Key. It was officially named a U.S. historic district on March 16, 1990. This means it's a place with important historical buildings.
The district is located off U.S. 1 at mile marker 45. It includes 11 historic buildings and 3 other structures. The old Seven Mile Bridge goes right over the island. There's even a ramp from the bridge that lets people walk down to the island.
