Henry Flagler
Henry Flagler

Early Life

Henry Morrison Flagler was born on January 2, 1830, in Hopewell, New York. He grew up in a modest family and left school at age 14 to work. His first job was at a grain store, where he learned the basics of business. This early experience shaped his future success.

Business Ventures

Flagler moved to Ohio as a young man and worked in the salt and grain industry. Later, he partnered with John D. Rockefeller to start the Standard Oil Company in 1870. This company became the largest oil business in the United States, and Flagler became very wealthy.

Building Florida

In the 1880s, Flagler visited Florida and saw its potential for tourism. At the time, Florida was mostly undeveloped, with poor transportation. Flagler decided to change that. He built luxury hotels and improved the state’s infrastructure. Most importantly, he expanded the Florida East Coast Railway, connecting cities along the Atlantic coast.

Impact and Legacy

Flagler’s work transformed Florida. Cities like Palm Beach, Miami, and Key West grew because of his vision. He made it possible for visitors and settlers to travel easily. Henry Flagler died on May 20, 1913, in Palm Beach, Florida. Today, he is remembered as a founder of modern Florida.

Flagler College

A building on the campus of Flagler College, which was once the Ponce de Leon hotel.

Discussion Questions

  1. How did Henry Flagler’s early jobs prepare him for success?
  2. Why was transportation so important for Florida’s development?
  3. What risks did Flagler take when investing in Florida?
  4. How would Florida be different today without Flagler’s contributions?

Glossary

  • Infrastructure: Basic systems like roads, railroads, and bridges that help a place function.
  • Tourism: The business of people traveling for fun or vacation.
  • Railway: A track system for trains to travel on.
  • Entrepreneur: A person who starts and runs a business, taking financial risks.

Five Interesting Facts

  • Flagler was a co-founder of Standard Oil with John D. Rockefeller.
  • He built the famous Ponce de León Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida.
  • Flagler extended the railway all the way to Key West, which was a huge engineering challenge.
  • The city of Flagler Beach, Florida, is named after him.
  • He is often called the “Father of Miami.”

Timeline

  • 1830 – Born in Hopewell, New York
  • 1870 – Co-founded Standard Oil Company
  • 1885 – Began developing Florida hotels and railways
  • 1912 – Completed railway to Key West
  • 1913 – Died in Palm Beach, Florida

Early Life

Henry Flagler was born in 1830 in New York. He left school at 14 and worked in a grain store. This job taught him important business skills.

Business Success

Later, Flagler helped start Standard Oil with John D. Rockefeller. The company made him very rich.

Changing Florida

When he visited Florida, he saw it could become a great place for visitors. He built hotels and improved transportation by creating the Florida East Coast Railway.

Legacy

Flagler helped cities like Miami and Palm Beach grow. He died in 1913 and is remembered as the “Father of Miami.”
Henry Flagler Activities
  • Henry Flagler Printable Reading Comprehension - Lexile 1000