The Key West Citizen Newspaper, July 3, 1953, Page 8

Gems Nestling Between Ocean This unique highway, stretching a distance of 122 miles ‘across the Florida Keys to Key West, is an outstand- ing triumph of engineering skill and ingenuity. Completed at a cost of $5,000,000,’ it connects the southernmost city - Motor traffic literally “goes to sea” along this modern highway which crosses great expanses of water on long , causeways and bridges—flanked on one side by the Atlan- ‘tic Ocean, on the other, by.the Gulf of Mexico. Panoramas +f endless miles of open sea change only slightly to sea- scapes dotted with some of the 700-odd dark green man- grove keys.-Miles of isolated waterfront invite fishing, sun- ning or just strolling. Fishing facilities are available along the entire keys, the waters of which comprise one of the world’s most fa- mous fishing grounds, Among the more than 600 varieties of fish found in these waters are tarpon, bonefish, sailfish, mackerel, king, pompano and snapper. ‘ There are 18 roadside parking areas between toll gates. Week-end or overnight camping is permitted at the roadside camps, and trailers also are permitted for the same length of time. Z art Het fy sill a3 3 ROCK . . . MARL TOP SOIL Complete Engineering Service Summerland Key, Florida 7 ieey ate H in aag @ rel Efile E558 s z FI i it i i i A 8 ; 4 fe & 1 Ege A & § ii i SRBRE se BAHIA HONDA is maintained by the Overseas Road and Toll Bridge District as a public park.—Photos by Finch. a 34-foot width of roadway. In some places, the cost of roadway on embankments was approxima- tely $12,000 per mile. The cost of roadway over bridges was $24 to $31 per foot. The most costly por- tion of the highway lies in the 13 miles between Knight’s Key and Big Pine Key, including Knight’s Key Bridge, almost 7 miles in length. The fact that eight hurricanes in the past 30 years have failed to damage any of the bridges is proof of their outstanding construction. + |The 129 bridges outside the toll area span a distance of 4.7 miles. In the 41 miles toll area between Pine Key, there are 11 bridges spanning a distance of 13 miles, shallow water. The deepest water - | is found under Bahia Honda Bridge, - |approximately 42 feet to bedrock. PLAYGROUND OF THE KEYS BAHIA HONDA PICNIC AREA Restaurant or Picnic Tables Barbecue Pits Rest Rooms BOAT RENTALS — MOTORS By Hour or Day Foot of Beautiful Bahia Honda Bridge _ Compliments of W. A. PARRISH Realtor P.0. BOX 313 Marathon, Florida «+ +... . Marathon 3641 and 7 miles of embankment in} Lower Matecumbe Key and Big] : if _ Outboard Motors . . . Row Boats Beer - Bait - Tackle BEST FISHING IN LOWER KEYS. GUIDES AVAILABLE JOHNSTON'S POINT Summerland Key at Niles Channel : 25 MILES NORTH OF KEY WEST ' And Gulf --- The Loner. Keys: IN MARATHON IT’S THE BUCCANEER Cottages : Luxurious Efficiencies AIR CONDITIONED Natural Swimming Pool and Fishing Pier OVERSEAS HIGHWAY CONNECTING THE MAINLAND TO THE BEAUTIFUL FLORIDA KEYS ..... WITH "THE ROAD THAT GOES TO SEA” OVERSEAS ROAD and TOLL BRIDGE DISTRICT Marathon, Florida _— On Pidgeon Key