The 7 Mile Bridge
Located at the very west end of the City of Marathon is the Seven Mile Bridge. It is a famous bridge in the Florida Keys and connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys and is among the longest bridges in existence when it was built. Of the many bridges that connect the FL Keys, the Seven mile bridge is the longest. The Old Seven was originally constructed in the early 1900 as as part of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway’s Key West Extension, also known as the Overseas Railroad. In the early 1980’s this old bridge was no longer used for vehicular traffic when the new bridge was constructed. Today the Old Seven Mile Bridge (the original Knights Key Bridge) to Pigeon Key is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has served as a world famous fishing pier, jogging, and walking route, and of course the major path to Pigeon Key. Click here for Friends of Old-Seven’s website with lots of fun facts and breathtaking photos. [Show as slideshow]
Located at the very west end of the City of Marathon is the Seven Mile Bridge. It is a famous bridge in the Florida Keys and connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys and is among the longest bridges in existence when it was built. Of the many bridges that connect the FL Keys, the Seven mile bridge is the longest. The Old Seven was originally constructed in the early 1900 as as part of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway’s Key West Extension, also known as the Overseas Railroad. In the early 1980’s this old bridge was no longer used for vehicular traffic when the new bridge was constructed. Today the Old Seven Mile Bridge (the original Knights Key Bridge) to Pigeon Key is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has served as a world famous fishing pier, jogging, and walking route, and of course the major path to Pigeon Key. Click here for Friends of Old-Seven’s website with lots of fun facts and breathtaking photos. [Show as slideshow]
Sombrero Beach
Sombrero Beach is a beautiful park and sandy beach. In 2001 the City redeveloped Sombrero Beach to include total handicap accessibility. A lovely sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean frames a shady park with picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, restrooms and showers. Sombrero Beach is a turtle nesting beach. From April through October it is not unusual to have Loggerhead Turtles (primarily) coming on to the beach at night to lay their eggs. During active turtle nesting season the City limits human activities in the vicinity of active turtle nest establishments. Turtle nest areas typically represents less than 10% of the available beach area. The remainder of the beach is open for our visitors and residents to enjoy. The City regularly surveys the beach for new turtle nesting. If you are interested in assisting the City in preserving the turtle population as a turtle surveyor, please do not hesitate to contact the City. F.D.E.P. holds classes in February or March every year to be a state certified surveyor. The City then schedules all of the surveyors for their day to walk the beach. Walking the beach first thing in the morning looking for turtle nests is an awesome experience. The hours are from 7:30 a.m. until dusk. To get there turn South on Sombrero Beach Road and drive to the end of the road. You are there!
Sombrero Beach is a beautiful park and sandy beach. In 2001 the City redeveloped Sombrero Beach to include total handicap accessibility. A lovely sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean frames a shady park with picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, restrooms and showers. Sombrero Beach is a turtle nesting beach. From April through October it is not unusual to have Loggerhead Turtles (primarily) coming on to the beach at night to lay their eggs. During active turtle nesting season the City limits human activities in the vicinity of active turtle nest establishments. Turtle nest areas typically represents less than 10% of the available beach area. The remainder of the beach is open for our visitors and residents to enjoy. The City regularly surveys the beach for new turtle nesting. If you are interested in assisting the City in preserving the turtle population as a turtle surveyor, please do not hesitate to contact the City. F.D.E.P. holds classes in February or March every year to be a state certified surveyor. The City then schedules all of the surveyors for their day to walk the beach. Walking the beach first thing in the morning looking for turtle nests is an awesome experience. The hours are from 7:30 a.m. until dusk. To get there turn South on Sombrero Beach Road and drive to the end of the road. You are there!
