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Digital Collections Blog Logo

Seaboard Passenger Train's Arrival Nearly 100 Years Ago Was Miami Milestone
Commemorating the Anniversary of the Railway Expansion

1/4/23

By: M. M.

On January 8, 1927, the first Seaboard Air Line Railway Orange Blossom Special passenger train carrying 600 people traveled from New York to Miami. The trip marked one of the most intensive construction, extension, and improvement programs ever undertaken by any American railroad up to that time, with the new track from West Palm Beach to Miami covering more than 70 miles.

The arrival was a cover story in The Miami Herald Sunday Edition the next day. Being able to access archived editions of The Miami Herald through the Library’s NewsBank database helped the Library's Digital Collections team better understand the historical photographs of the event contained within our Gleason Waite Romer Photographs Collection.

Old newspaper front page
Black and white photo of a group of people waiting for train

The Anticipation

More than 15,000 guests wait at the station for the arrival of the Seaboard Air Line Railway passenger train.

Black and white photo of a train approaching station
Black and white photo of a train

The Arrival

The Orange Blossom Special pulled into the freight depot at Northwest Seventh Avenue and Twentieth Street.

Black and white photo of a group of people standing in front of train

Big Celebration

Prominent figures and personalities attended the inaugural trip of the Orange Blossom Special. From left to right: Miss Grace Mattison ("Miss Hialeah"), Seaboard Air Line Railway President S. Davies Warfield, Miss Ruth Woodall ("Miss Miami"), Former Florida Governor John W. Martin, Miss Erma Woodall, Colonel Peter O. Knight and Former Coral Gables Mayor Tampa "Doc" Dammers.

More historical documents of the Seaboard Air Line Railway company can be found through the Library’s Digital Collections.

Old pamphlet for train

Seaboard Air Line Railroad Company – Miami to New York
Old train map

Miami and Miami Beach Facilities of the Seaboard Line
Old yellow brochure for train

Florida and the South via Seaboard

Make sure not to miss all the great content available in the Digital Collections. From 3D-scanned objects to rare books and DIY postcards for Valentine’s Day, there is something exciting and wonderful for everyone.