According to Allen Morris in his book, Florida Place Names: Alachua to Zolfo Springs, the Celestial railroad served the cities of Galaxy, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Juno and was in operation from 1889-1895. At only seven and a half miles long it was the smallest railroad in the world. It was a narrow gauge railroad at only eight feet wide. It serviced a population of 861 residents and 134 Indians and linked steamboat landings on the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Worth. Due to the names of the cities the railway service it was soon dubbed by passengers the Celestial Railroad and replaced the original name, Jupiter and Lake Worth Railroad. It was sold at public auction in 1896. It eventually fell out of use and all that is left now according to Jupiter Kids History are some railroad spikes left in the sand dunes of Jupiter and Juno.
Nearly 100 residents showed up for the grand opening and given a free train ride from Jupiter to Juno which took a half-hour. Once the train reached Juno it had to go backwards the whole seven and a half miles since there was no way for it turn around. It enjoyed six years of service hauling freight and passengers.
According to William G. Crawford, Jr. who wrote, Florida’s Big Dig: The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway from Jacksonville to Miami 1881-1935, when Flagler decided to build the Royal Poinciana Hotel in Palm Beach County he used the Celestial railroad to haul his building materials and other freight. When Flagler tried to buy the railroad the owners set the asking price so high that eventually he bypassed the railroad by building a bridge across the Loxahatchee River. This led to the railroad's end in 1895 and was sold at public auction in Jacksonville.
Comments
very nice '
was not aware of such things in that state of fl,
the person who wrote the article did a good job,
if ever in fl, i,ll check this out'
The railway gauge was three feet, not eight. Also, while the Jupiter and Lake Worth was a portage railway, I doubt it was the shortest railway in the world.
D is correct, the narrow gauge rails were 3 feet wide. Also, there was never a town or station called Galaxy. The name doesn't appear on any map nor is it mentioned in any truly authoritative reference.
Were the 134 Indians not residents? I bet they were here before the pioneers!
Flagler didn't just build a bridge across the Loxahatcheee-it was a bridge for his new railroad, built to the west of the Jupiter Lake Worth railway. This railway went all the way to West Palm Beach without a stop in Juno. (eventually Flagler's East Coast railroad ran all the way to Key West)
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!