A Tamiami Trailblazers

Tamiami Trailblazers:
A Personal Memoir
by Russell Kay

Excerpts from Russell Kay’s Memoirs

“Prior to the construction of the Tamiami Trail connecting the east and west coasts of Florida, the only cross-peninsular highway ran from Tampa to Daytona Beach. With the advent of automobiles in Florida shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, the possibility of constructing a highway across the Everglades was considered. It was a very controversial issue, however, and opponents argued that the giant cost and the great engineering problems would make the project impossible. Businessmen and chamber of commerce representatives on both coasts, however, insisted that it could be done. Shortly after the end of World War I and even before the onset of the Florida boom of the 1920’s, a publicity campaign was launched to sell the highway construction idea. Citizens were urged to use their influence with the Florida legislature and the federal government to consider and study the problem.”

— Excerpt from Russell Kay’s Memoirs

….

“It was understood by all concerned that if the venture was successful it would prove that it was possible to cross the Ever- glades by automobile. Each man paid his own expense and provided most of his own camping equipment.”

— Excerpt from Russell Kay’s Memoirs

….

“When reports of the “lost” convoy were released, planes were sent out from Miami trying to locate the men. Hidden in the cypress, the men had seen one of the planes, but they were unable to signal it. A plane had spotted the group about twenty miles from the Miami grade, and another dropped food and supplies. The men appreciated everything, especially the coffee. They had never been without food of some kind, thanks to the Indian guides. The gasoline supply had run low, but the fuel drained from the tanks of the abandoned cars enabled the trail blazers finally to make it to the Miami grade.”

— Excerpt from Russell Kay’s Memoirs