Title:
Men in Model T's blazed Tamiami Trail
Accession#:
1996.01.00
Pubication Date:
04/15/2006
Call#:
AC—0168
Object ID:
AC—0168
Collection:
KSHS Articles and Clippings
Additional Notes & Full Text:
BY KATE ANTHONY
Museum Curator
By 1923, the undertaking to construct a road connecting South Florida's east and west coasts had been under way for seven years. Little progress had been made, human lives had been lost and equipment, time, and money were being wasted. During that year, Barren Col- lier agreed to assume the financing of the project with the stipulation that the road go through Collier County At the same time, a group of Fort Myers/Estero supporters of the project set out to traverse the proposed route and prove that the dream of connecting Tampa to Miami was not doomed. Fort Myers resident Ora E. Chapin organized a group of approximately two-dozen men, along with several Model T Fords and a cleated tractor, for the expedition. This group included four Koreshan members — Alien Andrews, Alfred Christensen, Charles Hunt and Frank Lewis. Before they set out on their trek through the swamp, they adopted the name the "Tamia mi Trail Blazers." Early suggestions for the name of the road that was to slice through the Everglades included the "Miami to Marco Highway" and the "Atlantic to Gulf Boulevard." The "Tamiami Trail" was proposed by a Tampa Board of Trade officer who said, "A com- bination of the names Tampa and Miami seems the logical name for a highway which • would connect the two cities." Andrews, who was the editor of the Koreshans' newspaper "The American Eagle," wrote, in his editorial: "Good heavens, the name (Tamiami Trail) sounds like a bunch of tin cans tied to a dog's tail and clattering over cobble- stones." But as we know, the Tamiami Trail prevailed and to this day U.S. 41 between Tampa and Miami is affectionately known by this name. The idea for "The Trail" was originally presented to state officials in Tallahassee, in 1915, by Miami real estate developer Captain J.F. Jaudon. The next year Dade County voters approved a $275,000 bond issue, and construction began in September of 1916. It wasn't long, though, before it was evident that the budget was sorely inadequate; howev- er, money soon proved to be the least of their problems. The first thing engineers and • construction crews realized was that all of the work was going to have to be done while wading hip-deep, in muddy water, amid alligators and water moccasins. Drilling, to hollow out holes in which to place the dynamite, was the first step in the process. However, the drills repeatedly sank in the mud, and it took days to fish them out. Next, teams of oxen were used to pack in the dynamite — but they sank as well. When the dynamite was detonated, it is described in a 1941 article, "Men saw their fellows blown into eternity," and, when the dredges were brought in to dig up the limestone, "others were drowned." As the work became increas- ingly more hazardous, and the funding became scarcer, critics alleged that defeat should be admitted and the project aban- doned once and for all. Howev- er, supporters, such as the indi- -viduals who made up the Trail Blazers, set out to demonstrate otherwise. Koreshan member Frank S. Lewis was the only Trail Blazer who kept a daily diary of the journey. In his journal, he describes that the group had to contend with "mud and mire, fire, heat and bugs, cypress swamps and rough palmetto prairies." Eventually, the party "became lost and (was) reduced to searching for . potable water and hunting wild game." He went on to report that a Mr. Chapin, along with one c the group's two Seminole guides, went ahead to Miami obtain assistance. As a result, the Miami Chs ber of Commerce hired a pla to fly over the Everglades ani drop food, gasoline and othei supplies. Twenty-six days after dep; ing from the west coast, the Trailblazers arrived in Miami where "seven muddy Model' chugged down Flagler Street. During the following legisi tive session, The Trail was made part of the Florida high way system, and, three years later, on April 28,1928, the ro; was officially opened.
Museum Curator
By 1923, the undertaking to construct a road connecting South Florida's east and west coasts had been under way for seven years. Little progress had been made, human lives had been lost and equipment, time, and money were being wasted. During that year, Barren Col- lier agreed to assume the financing of the project with the stipulation that the road go through Collier County At the same time, a group of Fort Myers/Estero supporters of the project set out to traverse the proposed route and prove that the dream of connecting Tampa to Miami was not doomed. Fort Myers resident Ora E. Chapin organized a group of approximately two-dozen men, along with several Model T Fords and a cleated tractor, for the expedition. This group included four Koreshan members — Alien Andrews, Alfred Christensen, Charles Hunt and Frank Lewis. Before they set out on their trek through the swamp, they adopted the name the "Tamia mi Trail Blazers." Early suggestions for the name of the road that was to slice through the Everglades included the "Miami to Marco Highway" and the "Atlantic to Gulf Boulevard." The "Tamiami Trail" was proposed by a Tampa Board of Trade officer who said, "A com- bination of the names Tampa and Miami seems the logical name for a highway which • would connect the two cities." Andrews, who was the editor of the Koreshans' newspaper "The American Eagle," wrote, in his editorial: "Good heavens, the name (Tamiami Trail) sounds like a bunch of tin cans tied to a dog's tail and clattering over cobble- stones." But as we know, the Tamiami Trail prevailed and to this day U.S. 41 between Tampa and Miami is affectionately known by this name. The idea for "The Trail" was originally presented to state officials in Tallahassee, in 1915, by Miami real estate developer Captain J.F. Jaudon. The next year Dade County voters approved a $275,000 bond issue, and construction began in September of 1916. It wasn't long, though, before it was evident that the budget was sorely inadequate; howev- er, money soon proved to be the least of their problems. The first thing engineers and • construction crews realized was that all of the work was going to have to be done while wading hip-deep, in muddy water, amid alligators and water moccasins. Drilling, to hollow out holes in which to place the dynamite, was the first step in the process. However, the drills repeatedly sank in the mud, and it took days to fish them out. Next, teams of oxen were used to pack in the dynamite — but they sank as well. When the dynamite was detonated, it is described in a 1941 article, "Men saw their fellows blown into eternity," and, when the dredges were brought in to dig up the limestone, "others were drowned." As the work became increas- ingly more hazardous, and the funding became scarcer, critics alleged that defeat should be admitted and the project aban- doned once and for all. Howev- er, supporters, such as the indi- -viduals who made up the Trail Blazers, set out to demonstrate otherwise. Koreshan member Frank S. Lewis was the only Trail Blazer who kept a daily diary of the journey. In his journal, he describes that the group had to contend with "mud and mire, fire, heat and bugs, cypress swamps and rough palmetto prairies." Eventually, the party "became lost and (was) reduced to searching for . potable water and hunting wild game." He went on to report that a Mr. Chapin, along with one c the group's two Seminole guides, went ahead to Miami obtain assistance. As a result, the Miami Chs ber of Commerce hired a pla to fly over the Everglades ani drop food, gasoline and othei supplies. Twenty-six days after dep; ing from the west coast, the Trailblazers arrived in Miami where "seven muddy Model' chugged down Flagler Street. During the following legisi tive session, The Trail was made part of the Florida high way system, and, three years later, on April 28,1928, the ro; was officially opened.
Author:
Anthony, Kate
Summary:
This article deals with the establishment of the the Tamiami Trail (US—41). It includes quotes from sources not usually found.
Category:
8: Communication Artifact
Notes:
Frank Lewis Diary is included in the Multimedia section.
Object Name:
Newspaper
Subcategory:
Documentary Artifact
Phys Desc:
1 p. Photocopy
Publisher:
News Press
Publication Place:
Fort Myers
Subjects:
Tamiami Trail
Florida——Tamiami Trail
Transportation
Lewis, Frank
Florida——Tamiami Trail
Transportation
Lewis, Frank
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