History has often overlooked a fascinating detail about Henry
Flagler’s East Orange County railroad. William Blackman, a historian, wrote in
1927 that BITHLO was founded in 1915, stating the railroad had begun running
that year.
The year was actually 1914, as Flagler’s railroad had agreed to arrive
at WEWAHOOTEE, one station south of Bithlo, by January of 1914. Flagler’s
railroad began advertising depots to the south of Bithlo in February of 1914;
listing each as: Pacatow and Wewahootee in Orange County; and Salofka, Tohopkee
and Kenansville in Osceola County.
Travel time between Bithlo and Kenansville, the town named for
the Widow Mary Flagler, began service in 1914 and was estimated to take 2 ½
hours.
The often overlooked detail is the railroad’s founder date of
death. Henry M. Flagler died May 20, 1913.
Henry Flagler had been bedridden since March of 1913. On the
day Henry Flagler passed, Mary (KENAN) Flagler, his widow, said newspapers, had
become “the richest lady in the world.”
Mary KENAN Flagler assumed command of her husband’s
businesses, including the expansion of a railroad line from Bithlo, following
his death. It was Widow Mary who in fact built the southern extension of the
East Orange County railroad. Today, Wewahootee Road terminates at Dallas
Boulevard, where in 1914, Widow Mary (Kenan) Flagler had envisioned a railroad
depot.
Flagler’s widow assumed control of 4 million acres of land, 11
hotels, and assets which included the Florida Power & Light Company and the
Miami Herald. In today’s currency, her worth was estimated at $6 billion. She
lived a life of mystery and controversy, and Mary (KENAN) Flagler died in 1917 as
mysteriously as she had lived.
Tomorrow: Orlando’s Catherine of the many ‘R’s
Visit www.CroninBooks.com for more central Florida history
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