The railroad changed people's lives in the Keys, as well as everywhere else in east Florida. It was the summer of 1902 when Flagler hired a group of engineers under William J. Krome to survey the best route to Key West. They were to conduct, as we would say today, "a feasibility study" to extend the railroad to Key West.

Krome spent the remainder of 1902 and most of 1903 surveying across the Everglades to Cape Sable. He then completed the Cutler Extension to Homestead and in early 1904 proceeded to survey Key Largo for a route to Turtle Harbor off of North Key Largo. However, at Turtle Harbor the water depth was over 20 feet and a different route was sought. In April, 1904 the Turtle Harbor route was canceled and a Homestead to Key West route was requested. On May 4, 1904, the Panama Canal Zone was formally acquired by the U.S. Engineer and Surveyor William J. Krome was reassigned from the Panama Canal to surveying a route island hopping down the Keys to Key West.

It is not certain when the following conversation took place, but reportedly in 1904, the aging Flagler (74 years old) called in his Vice President, Joseph R. Parrott, and reportedly asked him if the railroad extension to Key West could be built.  "Yes, I am sure," was the reply. Mr. Flagler in turn said, "Very well then, go ahead. Go to Key West." At that time, France owned the concession to build the Panama Canal. When the U.S. negotiated with France and won said concession, it most probably influenced Flager. We know and have copies of the plans approved in April 1905. The project was announced to the public in the New York Herald on June 28, 1905 and the article reprinted in the Tropical Sun. What is a fact is that Senator E. C. Crill, of Palatka, pushed through bill number 11, granting certain rights and privileges for a railroad to the Florida East Coast Railway. The act became effective May 3, 1905 and afterwards Flagler publicly announced the extension of the railroad to Key West.

Regardless, this was an epic decision for the 74-year-old Flagler to make. He had practically built the east coast of Florida, had everything in life that any reasonable man could want, yet something pushed him on to new horizons. He did this with his own money, not borrowed money, and there were no cutting corners to save money. About two fifths of all his Florida investments were used to complete the Key West Extension. Special thanks to Mr. Jerry Wilkinson, www.keyshistory.org