The grand opening of the newest attraction at the Historic Seaport— Flagler Station Oversea Railway Historium— is set for Sunday, Jan. 30. Admission will be free to all Monroe County residents with proof of residency through Monday, Feb. 7.
Flagler Station, at 901 Caroline Street, is located on the original site of the Margaret Street railway spur at the entrance to the Key West Historic Seaport. Flagler Station is open daily from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
In 1905, Henry Flagler, one of the wealthiest men in the world, announced his plan to build a railroad from Miami to Key West. Some laughed, some scoffed and most agreed that it could not be done. Eight years, three hurricanes, $30 million and over 700 lives later, Henry Flagler proved them wrong.
Now, Henry Flagler's legacy is on display at the Flagler Station Historium, where you can walk through an actual Florida East Coast Railroad car full of photographs and memorabilia from the railroad that went to sea. Learn how this engineering marvel was built. See the film, "The Day The Train Arrived," and be entertained by railway storytellers.
In the historic Maggie Atwell house, the oldest surviving house from Big Pine Key (1912), you will experience the thrill of riding down the Florida Keys in 1929 and witness the tragic demise of Flagler's dream in the devastating Labor Day hurricane of 1935.
Flagler Station Overseas Railway Historium is part of the Historic Tours of America family of sightseeing tours, attractions and retail stores in Key West, Boston, Cambridge, Savannah, San Diego and Washington, D.C.
Karen "LaVondo" Leonard makes her Key West debut as the featured guest with the Larry Smith Sunday Night Showcase. She will sing songs selected from forty years of Broadway Musicals. Join her for the final showcase at Berlin's Bar upstairs at the A&B Lobster House. Showtime: 9 p.m. Next Sunday, Feb. 6, the Larry Smith Sunday Showcase moves to The American Bar, Simonton at Front.
Bluesmaster Spider John Koerner returns to the Green Parrot this weekend, with gigs on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 4 p.m., and at 3 p.m. on Sunday before the Super Bowl. Performing with Koerner will be Dave "Shaker" Ray. This is two-thirds of the legendary Koerner, Ray & Glover trio. Hello Dave, a hot acoustic band from frozen Chicago, hits the stage at 10 p.m. Saturday.
The Key West Film Society flick this week is "Sugar Town," Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., at the Waterfront Playhouse. One performance only. A music-biz satire with the premise that nothing breeds desperation quite like a rock `n roll wannabe questing for stardom— except, perhaps, fallen stars maneuvering to regain their luster. Members $5; non-members, $7.
Discover astronomy on a New Moon sail aboard the Schooner Appledore with guest speaker Dr. Bruce Gragg, Professor of Astronomy, next Saturday, Feb. 5, 8-10 p.m. Boarding begins at 7:30 and the schooner will depart from the Historic Seaport at Key West Bight. Tickets are $50 per person, with all proceeds benefiting Reef Relief. Info: 294-3100.