Prior to 1923, travel into or out of the Lake Okeechobee Area was possible only by boat or canoe. In the early 1920’s, W. J. Conner, a New York winter visitor, bought 4000 acres of undeveloped muck land near this site, and because development required land access, he quickly secured approval from both houses of the State Legislature in 2 hours and 20 minutes and began building the W. J. Conners Toll Road. Although the terrain was unknown, Conners and his engineer, R. V. Patterson, constructed the road using dredges, and a temporary railroad laid on the roadbed sped the work. Construction began on October 16, 1924, and the highway was completed on June 25, 1925, 8 months later. The 52 mile road cost $1,800,000, was hailed as an engineering marvel of its time, and contributed greatly to the growth of the area. Although the toll was only $.03 a mile, the average daily toll collected was $2000. After Conners’ death on October 5, 1929, the road was ultimately sold to the State of Florida for $660,000.