Hurricane Monument Memorial Islamorada Florida Keys HD

I enjoy learning history and I knew about "The Great Hurricane" of 1935. But I wasn't aware of the Hurricane Memorial and it's story until I happen to drive by it. I'm glad I decided to stop and take a look. Sorry the video is a little shaky, I was holding onto my dog while filming.

Millions of vehicles have conceivably passed through Islamorada and overlooked the 1935 Hurricane Memorial. It is innocent enough in appearance, yet eloquent and highly significant in legacy as a memorial. For those who might wish to visit the site, it is located between the old State Road 4A highway and the present U.S. 1 at mile marker 81.5, across from the library. It was dedicated November 14, 1937 as The Florida Keys Memorial and memorializes the World War-I veterans and civilians who perished in the 1935 hurricane. The U.S. Department of Interior placed it on the National Register of Historic Places on March 16, 1995.

For the memorial, the center was dug down to bedrock and a base was made of stone and concrete 65 by 20 feet. From the base five broad steps lead to an elevated flooring area. It is covered with coral slabs known as "keystone" quarried from either the Windley Key or Key Largo Quarry. The original structure stopped at the lower step. Later, the original crushed coral rock area between the flagpole and the steps was paved with artificial keystone material. A concrete sidewalk was also added and decorative vegetation added.

There is a crypt made into the upper level that contains the skeletal bones and cremated remains of many of the veterans and citizens who perished, some after the 1935 hurricane. A 22-foot long ceramic tile map by ceramicist Adela Gisbet of the Keys from Key Largo to Marathon is inlaid into the cover of the crypt.

The native rock-covered obelisk of the memorial rises 18 feet skyward above the dais with a relief sculptured tidal wave and palms bending under the force of the terrific winds. The glyphic Mayan style design was by Harold Lawson and developed by Lambert Bemlemans. Other WPA artists involved were William Shaw, Allie Mae Kitchens, Emigdio Reyes and Harold Lawson.

Below the sculpture is a bronze plaque by artist John Klinkenberg inscribed: "Dedicated To The Memory Of The Civilians And The War Veterans Whose Lives Were Lost In The Hurricane Of September Second 1935." Nine-year-old hurricane survivor Faye Marie Parker unveiled the monument on Sunday, November 14, 1937 as about 5,000 officials, guests and visitors looked on.

http://www.keyshistory.org/hurrmemorial.html

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[poplasia]

what is the name of this song?

[PeaceLoveScoobie]

@poplasia It's Copic Cabana by McKenzie Stubbert.

[AmyPelletier73]

Very nicely done...we were there last week. Good job.

[desertpair2]

Nicely done.