Old Bahia Honda Bridge Guide
A Bridge to the Past: Explore a Florida Keys Icon Guide
The Old Bahia Honda Bridge, a majestic relic of the Overseas Railway, stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and the ambitious vision of Henry Flagler. This iconic bridge, now part of Bahia Honda State Park, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding turquoise waters and serves as a reminder of the challenges and triumphs of connecting the Florida Keys by rail. Completed in 1912 as part of Flagler's Overseas Railway, the Bahia Honda Bridge was a marvel of its time. It spanned the deep channel between Bahia Honda Key and Spanish Harbor Key, allowing trains to travel between the islands. The bridge was severely damaged by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, which ultimately led to the abandonment of the railway. The bridge was later converted for automobile traffic as part of the Overseas Highway, but a new bridge was built alongside it in 1972, leaving the old bridge to stand as a historic landmark. Today, visitors can explore sections of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge within Bahia Honda State Park. Walking or biking along the remaining spans offers stunning panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding islands. The park also provides opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing. While there are no specific culinary traditions directly associated with the bridge itself, the park offers picnic areas where visitors can enjoy their own meals while taking in the spectacular scenery.
Transportation
The Old Bahia Honda Bridge is located within Bahia Honda State Park on Bahia Honda Key. From US-1, the park entrance is at mile marker 37. Parking is available within the park (fees apply).