Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park, Geological state park in Islamorada, Florida Keys, United States.
Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park is a nature preserve with exposed quarry walls revealing fossilized coral reefs and limestone formations. The walls stand about 8 feet (2.4 meters) high and contain cross sections of different coral species preserved from millions of years ago.
The limestone quarry operated until the 1960s, supplying stone for Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad and decorative materials for architectural projects. Mining transformed the landscape and eventually created the geological exposures visible today.
The visitor center displays exhibits about how the Florida Keys formed and shows preserved machinery from the industrial quarry era. These objects help visitors picture how workers once operated here daily.
The park has about 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometers) of walking trails through tropical forest with signs explaining geological formations. Visitors should be prepared for humidity and wear comfortable shoes for the pathways.
The quarry walls contain five different coral species side by side in a single layer of Key Largo Limestone. This grouping shows a rare example of how the ancient coral ecosystem was structured here.
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