The Florida East Coast Railroad, or FEC, acquired the rail line running between Orange City and New Smyrna in 1896. Prior to Henry Flagler’s purchase, this railroad was known as the Atlantic & Western or Blue Spring, Orange City, and Atlantic Railroad Company.
The Florida East Coast Railroad was the main rail line for transporting vegetables out of Samsula up until the early 1930’s when the local spur was discontinued. Many of the local residents remember exploring the abandoned tracks as children, perhaps finding spikes or other mementos of the railroad’s presence. This page looks at some of these mementos, as well as some archival materials from when the railroad was an important part of agriculture in this community.
