“Plant’s railroads went up and down the southeastern United States,” says Shifke. Similarly, Henry Plant linked central and west Florida to the rest of the country with his railway. Flagler created the town of Palm Beach, and provided opportunities for development in south Florida. He built luxury hotels along his train route, stimulating tourism. Henry Flagler’s railway extended from Jacksonville down Florida’s east coast, eventually linking the mainland to the Keys. His family eventually sold off his holdings in Florida,” Shifke says. He had one surviving son that lived in New York City, and when Henry Plant passed away, there was no one really to carry the torch for him. On the other hand, Henry Plant came to the west coast of Florida, but he always remained in New York and Connecticut. “Flagler moved down to Palm Beach, had many children that continue the Flagler name today. “I think the reason that Henry Plant doesn’t get quite as much recognition as Henry Flagler is that Henry Flagler’s personal money was in Palm Beach.” “They were equally as important,” says Sally Shifke, Museum Relations Coordinator for the Henry B. Henry Plant and Henry Flagler were friendly competitors who sometimes worked together. In discussions of railroads and their impact on Florida’s growth, Henry Flagler usually is the first person mentioned. Before his death in 1899, Plant helped to develop Florida with railways, steamships, and luxury hotels. By 1821, Florida was named a United States Territory, and in 1845 it became a state. Plant was born in 1819, Florida was still under Spanish control. The Plant system of railroads helped to create modern Florida. 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting and Symposium.2021 Virtual Annual Meeting and Symposium.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |