Windley Key Fossil Reef 
State Geological Site

History

    Windley Key is the highest of the chain of islands formed of Key Largo Limestone, laid down in the Sangamon interglacial period, about 125,000 years ago. When the Pamlico sea subsided during the Wisconsin Ice Age about 25,000 years later, the reef was exposed to form the Florida Keys.

    Various tribes of Indians inhabited the Keys before the first European explorers arrived, and middens and other remains are located in the immediate area.  One midden has been identified at the Northern boundary of the Quarry tract.

    After Key West was settled, Conch families moved up the Keys to establish small farming and fishing communities and in the mid 1800's the Russell family homesteaded the "Umbrella Keys," Windley's earlier name.

    In 1908 the Russell family sold the tract to the Florida East Coast Railway.

    From that time until the final completion of the Overseas Railraod, the quarries on the tract were used to supply rock for the railbed and the bridge approaches.

    After the railway was completed, "Quarry Station" was a regular stop for local passengers, for the delivery of fresh water from the mainland, and for the shipment of "Keystone" back to the mainland.

    When the railway  was destroyed by the 1935 hurricane, Quarry Station was also leveled with the local camp and infirmary for railroad workers.

    The completion of the Overseas Highway in 1938  encouraged resumption of the quarrying of Keystone and the quarry was leased to a succession of companies.  During the early 60's the last  commercial quarrying ceased.

Geologic Features

    According to Dr Cesare Emiliani, Chairman of the Geology Department of the University of Miami, "...The Key Largo Coral Reef Limestone is a world renowned formation dating from 125,000 years ago, and forms the backbone of the Keys.  Its modern counterparts flourish just offshore and provide a unique attraction for the general public, as well as for students and scientists alike.

    A comparison of the two constitutes an absolute unique system for the understanding of all the important coral reef environment  in general.  The Windley Key Quarries have been visited by countless scientists from  all over the world."