Bill and Olive Kroll, founders of the Conch Train, were Michigan natives, who had built a motel in Fort Pierce prior to World War II (1941). With gas rationing they could see that the hotel business was in jeopardy and Bill took a job with the Navy in Key West.
In 1945 right after the war, Bill partnered with Lefty Reagan operating the Charter Boat “Cay Sal”. In 1946 Bill successfully bid on the city lease at the Key West Aquarium and began the extensive work of turning it back into an aquarium. During the war it was used as a pistol range. Bill and Olive ran the Key West Aquarium from 1946 until 1956.
In 1957 they gave up the aquarium lease and then traveled in their trailer for a year returning to Key West with an idea for a new Key West attraction. During their travels they had seen a train tour in Helena, Montana. Bill said that after running the Aquarium for 10 years the number one question the customers asked was “how do you get around the island to see the sights?”
The train tour business started with one train #97. Bill drove the train and Olive sold the tickets from the sidewalk on Front Street. In the winter of 1959 they added #98, and #99 was brought on line in 1960.
On April 1st of 1959, Olive’s cousin, Mary Ann Causley, also from Michigan came down to Key West and joined the Conch Train as general manager.
Each year another train was built until there were 10 trains and the company was sold to Wometco of Miami, Florida in 1972. Historic Tours of America bought the Conch Tour Train from Wometco in 1983.
During the time that Mary Ann and the Krolls ran the train, they established it as one of the most beloved Key West tours and attractions. They set high standards for a quality product and community service. In the early 60’s Bill founded the Military Affairs Committee which is active today in cementing good community relations with the Navy.
More than 50 years later people in Key West still stop Mary Ann to tell her they rode her Key West tour.
For a historic adventure through Key West, take a ride onboard Key West’s original sightseeing tour, the Conch Tour Train.
As a legacy to Henry Flagler’s “railway over the sea”, the Conch Tour Train has treated visitors to an in-depth view of the city’s most charming, historic and interesting attractions for 50 years… and counting. The Conch Tour Train took its inaugural ride in 1958 and has been offering tours throughout Key West ever since.
The Conch Tour Train departs daily from the Front Street Depot and ends at Mallory Square—one of Key West’s most famous spots. Throughout the tour, you’ll not only see the area’s well-known sights, you’ll also learn about the many residents, both past and present, that make the Conch Republic one of the world’s most unique places. See some of the spots Hemingway frequented and find out why Harry Truman spent so much time on the island. Listen to accounts of how pirates, Indians and wreckers lived, fought and worked, giving Key West its extraordinary reputation.
The historic Conch Tour Train tour is 75 minutes long making one full loop through Old Town Key West, includes three stops, and highlights marvelous sights, stories and entertainment.