Key West History

Key West History

Key West History


The Key West history is as rich as the blend of the cultural nationalities currently converging on the picturesque island. Even from the beginning, Key West history has been intense with various powerful nations coming-and-going to take advantage of the island's resources-rich realm and strategic spot, creating demanding yet colorful cultural transitions in the Key West history. The Calusa people were only the first inhabitants to enrich the development of Key West history

When Juan Ponce de Leon first visited Key West in 1521, he found the "Bone Island" to be inhabited by the Pre-Columbian Calusa people. Legends tell tales that he found human bones in mangrove clumps on the island. Yet without hesitation, the first European in the Cayo Hueso (Spanish: Bone Island) would later build a fishing and salvage village protected by a small garrison. Spaniards and Native Americans settled alongside. Until in 1763, Great Britain took control. It is only after 20 years that the Spanish would resettle in Cayo Hueso. And this time the Cayo is open to the Cuban and Bahamian fishers. They were also free with the Cayos. Yet in 1815, the Havana Spanish governor deeded the island to Juan Pablo Salas of St. Augustine-Florida, but Florida will later be turned over to the US, prompting Salas to sell Cayo Hueso Island to US businessman John Simonton in 1821. Cayo Hueso turned rich in the turn of this century. Its industries included fishing, salt production, and most famously - salvage.

Inhabitants worked salvaging shipwrecks from nearby Florida reefs, and the island-town was noted for their fine furniture and chandeliers possession - the treasures of Key West. In 1860 ship-wrecking made Key West the largest and richest city in Florida and the wealthiest town in US, and - the Captain of the Caribbean. Then after, Simonton decided to petition the US Government's formation of a naval base on the island to bring law and order to Key West. And in 1823, dictator Commodore David Porter of the US-Navy West-Indies Anti-Pirate Squadron immobilized the Keys under the grip of Martial Law. At any rate, the navy base on the island was able to keep Key West a US asset during the American Civil War. And island became a retreat once again for the Cubans who helped bring a thriving cigar making industry to Key West.

More progress to Key West history in the year 1912 when the Florida mainland became accessible through HM Flagler's railroad-bridges extension. Only to be destroyed in the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, but rebuilt in 1938 by the US Federal-Government as an automobile-highway extension of the US Highway1 as the Key West Overseas Highway. Then again, a US Border Patrol blockade was set on US Highway1 versus the Mariel Boatlift. Still, in 1982, ever enduring, Key West with the rest of the Florida Keys, united as a new Conch Republic - an absolute affirmation of the Key West spirit - 'Freedom'.

Key West History
Articles Directory

  • Honeymoon in Key West Florida
    Facts, facts Do you know that honeymoon in Key West Florida is not a rare occurrence? For your honeymoon in Key West Florida, I would recommend riding bikes around Key West. Private dinners aboard a cruise ship, cruise ship weddings, or just a casual honeymoon and adventure with lots of snorkeling, all these have been done before.

  • Key West Beach
    Smathers Key West Beach As the largest Key West beach, Smathers stretches for about 2 miles along the island's southern shore. Fort Taylor Key West Beach A state park (Fort Zachary Taylor State Park) and a local favorite, Fort Taylor Key West beach is a mixture of sand and coral rock with no less than three beautiful coves. Until lately, the beach was replenished with sand so that people could set up their towels on the sand.

  • Go Hopping - Key West Bars and Rests
    "Hog's Breath is better than no-breath at all!" TWO- FRIENDS PATIO-RESTAURANT Casual open-air dining for over-three-decades and Key West King of Original Karaoke-Show for the past-10years, newly-offering live karaoke-cam. Playboy magazine's one of the top-20-ranked-bars in America. SLOPPY JOE'S Sloppy Joe's live-entertainment, bar, restaurant, and store. ALONZO'S OYSTER-BAR Largest selection of aphrodisiac warm-water and cold-water oyster, plus seafood. SCHOONER WHARF BAR William Street Food, drinks, and fun on the seaport.

  • Key West Style Town Homes
    To keep the interiors cool by deflecting strong sunlight and heat. Today, the Conch Architecture of many Key West style town homes can be seen even in places outside Florida! There are dozens of home loans available that can be tailored to fit your individual needs.

  • Key West Paintings, Sculpture, and Photography - Get the Key West Picture?
    ("Arielle" guitarist's photo) Dan Simpson holds the brush aside from a soldering-iron and bass-guitar, creating eclectic hippie-travel-music-inspired digital art. ("August Fruit" digital-photo) Other Titles and Artists:. The vibrant colors of his Key West paintings in acrylic embody the beauty of the classic conch-houses, historical landmarks, and the tropical flora and fauna - a perfect home. The works follow the gyotaku-watercolor-acrylic-ink-method where fish rubbings are enhanced by printing conserved fish onto handmade-paper or canvas then employing coloring-techniques into the rubbings.

  • Key West, Florida by foot
    Here the people live a harmonious life where they are free to express themselves any way they wish. This way of looking at life creates a laid back and friendly atmosphere, which usually means that it does not take long for one to be attracted to the Key West lifestyle. Key West, Florida is one of those places.

  • Things to do in Key West
    But what I'm recommending is the unusual and the queer. Have you tried biking all over Key West? Those things aren't normally on travel brochure or tourist guides. The Foundation is a nonprofit educational institution. It is an exhibit of wild nature's artistry in a woodland garden.

  • Key West Vacation Getaway Options
    Keeping in mind that Key West is a party townand the bars don't close until 4AM could hinder you from findinga place to crash until just before sunrise. Key West was categorized as a dirty little town with not much todo for many, many years. My suggestion is to get amap of Key West and map out your ideal accommodation based onbudget and location.

  • Key West Florida Vacation
    If you cut back on food expenses, you'll be surprised at how much you can save from vacation expenses. This can mean enormous savings for you. Renting cars while on a Key West Florida vacation only sounds expensive.

  • Key West Condos
    It was restored and converted to luxurious, beautiful and spacious suites after the original Cuban Club burned down in 1983. Heading for the Sunset Celebration? All one bedroom units have a fully equipped kitchens, private outdoor area and spacious living room and bedroom and can sleep up to 4 people. 1800 Atlantic Condominium The 1800 Atlantic Key West Condos is located right beside the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent to Smathers Beach in Key West.

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