Marathon: The Middle Keys (Images of America)

The Middle Keys have experienced a fascinating history, from the time when wreckers plied the Florida Reef to the days of Henry Flagler's audacious overseas railroad.

Once the Overseas Highway opened, travelers could reach Marathon by car and tourism boomed. As more people settled in Marathon, the community grew and flourished. The majesty of the Middle Keys' two Seven Mile Bridges has inspired postcards, paintings, and even movie scenes. Local institutions like the Dolphin Research Center and the Turtle Hospital have also garnered a host of fans. Images of America: Marathon: The Middle Keys captures the story of these unique islands and their rich photographic legacy.

Laura Albritton is a writer and book reviewer who has contributed to many publications, including the Miami Herald, Sculpture, Harvard Review, the Times Literary Supplement, Florida Keys Weekly, and the blog Authentic Florida. Her travel book Miami for Families was published by the University Press of Florida. Jerry Wilkinson is president of the Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys and an emeritus board member of the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center. He coauthored Arcadia titles Key Largo and Islamorada and wrote It Had to Be You: The Story of Kay Wilkinson and The Alice Shaw Diary.