Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park

One of the highest in the chain of islands formed of "Key Largo Limestone" over 125;000 years ago. About 5;000 years ago; the water level stabilized and the ancient coral reef crest that remained exposed created the islands known as the Florida Keys. The quarry at Windley Key was active into the 1960s and today stands as a preserved geological treasure. The park offers a rare opportunity to compare coral today with its ancient ancestors. Ranger-Guided Tours available year-round; Friday through Sunday; 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM. Tour fee is $1/person; free admission for children ages 6 and younger. Rangers give tours of the old quarries used by Henry Flagler and the subtropical hardwood hammock.  Formed of Key Largo limestone, fossilized coral, this land was sold to the Florida East Coast Railroad, which used the stone to build Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad in the early 1900s. After the railroad was built, the quarry was used until the 1960s to produce exquisite pieces of decorative stone called Keystone. Today, visitors can walk along eight-foot-high quarry walls to see cross sections of the ancient coral and learn about the quarry and its operation- an important part of Florida's 20th century history. Samples of the quarry machinery have been preserved at the park. Visitors can enjoy the natural attributes of this island while strolling five, short, self-guided trails.