The Internal Improvement Fund Act (IIFA)
In 1855, Florida passed the Internal Improvement Fund Act, which was intended to aid in the development of railroads, buildings, and other structures. The first charter granted under this law, in 1856, was to build the St. Johns River Railroad from Tocoi to St. Augustine. Because of the Civil War, the line was not completed until 1874.
"The Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, as an agency of Florida Government, was created in 1855 to oversee the management, sale, and development of public lands granted to the State through various Congressional acts. Among the internal improvements arranged through this agency were construction of canals, railroads, and land drainage and reclamation. The Trustees also had say in the governing and sale of Seminary Lands, School Lands and other lands granted for specific purposes." |
Previous Railroads
Richard Keith Call and David Levy Yulee, future Florida politicians, bought charters, and built two of Florida's first railroads. By 1877, because of losses associated with the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Internal Improvement Fund went bankrupt. The railroad being built to connect two of the state's largest cities, Jacksonville and St. Augustine, was never completed, thus hindering growth. By 1885, only Delaware and Rhode Island had less railroad tracks than Florida.
"Railroads did exist in Florida prior to Flagler’s arrival, yet they were small, unreliable, and often operated on different gauges, making for a disjointed trip." |