The Gilded Age
The Gilded Age was a brief time in American history after the Civil war Restoration era. During this time, the United States experienced a population and economic boom, leading to the creating of an incredibly wealthy upper class. The era lasted only a few short years from 1877-1893, before the market crash of 1893 brought a severe depression to the entire country. The Gilded Age era was a time of personal successes for Henry Flagler. He became one of the most influential and enterprising individuals of the Gilded Age. Henry Flagler’s wealth benefited many people, especially in Florida. He not only built the transportation system needed to develop the east coast of Florida, he eagerly promoted tourism and the agricultural industry that remain the foundation of Florida’s economy. Henry Flagler also undertook the biggest and most complicated building project ever attempted by an individual - the construction of the Over-Sea Railroad from Miami to Key West.
Timeline Of Henry Flagler's Era
1830 – Henry Morrison Flagler born Jan. 2 In New York
1850-(late) – Became acquainted with John. D. Rockefeller, a commission agent with Hewitt and Tuttle for the Harkness grain company.
1852 – He became partners with his half brother to make money in a businesses
1853 – Married Mary Harkness, Nov. 9.
1850s (late) – Became acquainted with John. D. Rockefeller, a commission agent with Hewitt and Tuttle for the Harkness grain company.
1862 – With brother-in-law Barney York, founded Flagler and York Salt Company, a salt mining and production business, in Saginaw, Mich.
1865 – The Civil War ends, causing a drop in the demand for salt. Flagler and York Salt Company collapses, leaving Flagler in heavy debt.
1866 – Moves to Cleveland, Ohio and reenters the grain business as a commission merchant.
1867 – Needing capital for his young oil business, J. D. Rockefeller approaches Flagler, who obtains $100,000 from Steven Harkness, half-brother of Dan Harkness. Rockefeller, Andrews and Flagler form partnership with Flagler in control of Harkness’ interest.
1870 – On Jan. 10, Rockefeller, Andrews and Flagler create a joint-stock corporation named Standard Oil. Son, Harry Harkness, born Dec. 2.
1872 – Standard Oil leads the American oil refining industry in production
1877 –Standard Oil moves headquarters to New York City, where Flaglers relocate.
1878 – Since Mary Flagler's wife is sick the doctor advised them to move to Florida for the Winter
1881 – Mary Harkness Flagler dies at 47 on May 18.
1883 – Flagler marries Ida Alice Shourds. They travel to St. Augustine, where Flagler finds hotel facilities and transportation systems unexcerpible
1885 – Returns to St. Augustine; begins construction on the 540-room Hotel Ponce de Leon. Purchases the Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Halifax Railroad.
1886 - Coca Cola was founded
1888 – Hotel Ponce de Leon opens Jan. 10 as an instant success.
1890 – Builds railroad bridge across the St. Johns River to gain access to southern half of state. Purchases the Ormond Beach Hotel in Ormond Beach.
1894 – Flagler’s 1,150-room Hotel Royal Poinciana in Palm Beach is completed. Train service is extended to West Palm Beach. Ida Alice Shourds Flagler is institutionalized for mental illness.
1897 – Flagler’s Hotel Royal Palm opens in Miami.
1901 – Aug. 24, Flagler marries Mary Lily Kenan of North Carolina.
1901- The Palm Beach Inn is renamed The Breakers.
1902 – The Flaglers move into Whitehall, the Palm Beach winter retreat Flagler has built as a wedding present for Mary Lily.
1903 – The Breakers is destroyed by fire. Rebuilt and opens in 1906.
1905 – Expansion of the Florida East Coast Railway to Key West begins.
1911 – Flagler ceases being an active director at Standard Oil.
1912 – Flagler rides the first train into Key West on Jan. 21.
1913 – Flagler dies May 20 in Palm Beach and is buried in St. Augustine.
1929- The Wall Street stock exchange crashes in October, that began the Great Depression
1830 – Henry Morrison Flagler born Jan. 2 In New York
1850-(late) – Became acquainted with John. D. Rockefeller, a commission agent with Hewitt and Tuttle for the Harkness grain company.
1852 – He became partners with his half brother to make money in a businesses
1853 – Married Mary Harkness, Nov. 9.
1850s (late) – Became acquainted with John. D. Rockefeller, a commission agent with Hewitt and Tuttle for the Harkness grain company.
1862 – With brother-in-law Barney York, founded Flagler and York Salt Company, a salt mining and production business, in Saginaw, Mich.
1865 – The Civil War ends, causing a drop in the demand for salt. Flagler and York Salt Company collapses, leaving Flagler in heavy debt.
1866 – Moves to Cleveland, Ohio and reenters the grain business as a commission merchant.
1867 – Needing capital for his young oil business, J. D. Rockefeller approaches Flagler, who obtains $100,000 from Steven Harkness, half-brother of Dan Harkness. Rockefeller, Andrews and Flagler form partnership with Flagler in control of Harkness’ interest.
1870 – On Jan. 10, Rockefeller, Andrews and Flagler create a joint-stock corporation named Standard Oil. Son, Harry Harkness, born Dec. 2.
1872 – Standard Oil leads the American oil refining industry in production
1877 –Standard Oil moves headquarters to New York City, where Flaglers relocate.
1878 – Since Mary Flagler's wife is sick the doctor advised them to move to Florida for the Winter
1881 – Mary Harkness Flagler dies at 47 on May 18.
1883 – Flagler marries Ida Alice Shourds. They travel to St. Augustine, where Flagler finds hotel facilities and transportation systems unexcerpible
1885 – Returns to St. Augustine; begins construction on the 540-room Hotel Ponce de Leon. Purchases the Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Halifax Railroad.
1886 - Coca Cola was founded
1888 – Hotel Ponce de Leon opens Jan. 10 as an instant success.
1890 – Builds railroad bridge across the St. Johns River to gain access to southern half of state. Purchases the Ormond Beach Hotel in Ormond Beach.
1894 – Flagler’s 1,150-room Hotel Royal Poinciana in Palm Beach is completed. Train service is extended to West Palm Beach. Ida Alice Shourds Flagler is institutionalized for mental illness.
1897 – Flagler’s Hotel Royal Palm opens in Miami.
1901 – Aug. 24, Flagler marries Mary Lily Kenan of North Carolina.
1901- The Palm Beach Inn is renamed The Breakers.
1902 – The Flaglers move into Whitehall, the Palm Beach winter retreat Flagler has built as a wedding present for Mary Lily.
1903 – The Breakers is destroyed by fire. Rebuilt and opens in 1906.
1905 – Expansion of the Florida East Coast Railway to Key West begins.
1911 – Flagler ceases being an active director at Standard Oil.
1912 – Flagler rides the first train into Key West on Jan. 21.
1913 – Flagler dies May 20 in Palm Beach and is buried in St. Augustine.
1929- The Wall Street stock exchange crashes in October, that began the Great Depression
Captains Of Industry and Commerce
1794- Cornelius Vanderbilt was born, Staten Island on May 27
1830- Henry Flagler was born Jan. In New York
1835- Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25
1839- John D. Rockefeller was born on July 8
1877- Cornelius Vanderbilt died on January 4
1913- Flagler died May 20
1919- Andrew Carnegie died on August 11
1937- John D. Rockefeller died May 23
1830- Henry Flagler was born Jan. In New York
1835- Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25
1839- John D. Rockefeller was born on July 8
1877- Cornelius Vanderbilt died on January 4
1913- Flagler died May 20
1919- Andrew Carnegie died on August 11
1937- John D. Rockefeller died May 23