Homestead history

Timeline

1. 1898 — Homesteading opens. South Dade opens to homesteaders; the only way in and out is the Homesteaders Trail.
2. 1902 — Surveying the railroad. William J. Krome surveys South Florida for the Florida East Coast Railway's Key West Extension.
3. 1905 — Key West Extension begins. Construction starts, with workers from the Bahamas helping build it; farmers can now ship fruit and vegetables to Miami.
4. 1913 — Town incorporated. Railroad workers who stayed found the Town of Homestead: 121 people and 28 registered voters.
5. 1916 — Royal Palm State Park. The Florida Federation of Women's Clubs opens Royal Palm State Park, later part of Everglades National Park.
6. 1923 — Becomes a city. Homestead becomes a city and forms its Chamber of Commerce; population 3,360.

Sources: City of Homestead — History of Our City. Checked Oct 9, 2026.

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