The Florida Keys

Strand Theatre, Florida Keys

A small tropical oasis right on US soil, the Florida Keys has long been a haven for tourists of every kind. You name it, and chances are someone has gone there looking for it… from the infamous Fountain of Youth, to sunken pirate's treasures, to artistic inspiration, to the catch of the day. The influx of Bahamian and Cuban culture gives the Keys their unique flavor. This is displayed in everything from the local cuisine to the work of the artists and entertainers that reside there.

Playwright Tennessee Williams said in his memoirs that, while he could have written anywhere, his best work came from his studio in Key West, the southernmost of the string of islands that form the Keys. Key West was a residence for many artists in the 20th Century. Wildlife painter John James Audobon, novelist Ernest Hemingway, Williams and others called upon the Florida Keys for their inspiration. It was here that some of literature's best-known works -Hemingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' and Williams 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' - were written.

This over 100-mile-long chain of islands is located at the southernmost tip of Florida and is connected by 42 bridges. Each Key offers something a bit different, and to go there and not take in as much as possible would be a shame. With some of the world's best sport fishing, North America's only living coral reef, stunning beaches, breathtaking sunsets, a rich history, and unique and diverse culture, it's obvious why the Florida Keys are such a popular destination. After all, there's a lot more to the Florida Keys than just Key Lime Pie.

HISTORY

In 1513 while searching for the Fountain of Youth, Ponce de Leon happened upon the Florida Keys. The native Tequestas and Calusas tribes were the only residents, and they were not necessarily welcoming hosts to those who came to the Keys; in 1577 they killed all but two survivors of a shipwreck off the Key Largo coast who went onto the mainland, ironically enough, for safety. Almost 200 years later, the Calusas reportedly cannibalized a colony of approximately 400 French settlers. However, there are few records to indicate than anyone other than pirates set foot on the Florida Keys soil until the early 19th Century, when more and more Europeans settled the area. The native population slowly declined, until its eventual demise due to the European imports of smallpox and other diseases.

Ownership of the Florida Keys, and Florida itself, bounced back and forth several times between Britain, Spain, and the United States. The state of Florida became a formal possession of the United States in 1821. In 1822, Key West, only 90 miles from Cuba, became an official port of entry. With the living conditions in Cuba being less than ideal, many residents made their ways to the Keys. With all the civil conflicts and uprisings in their home country, many Cubans spent years migrating back and forth between Cuba and the Florida Keys.

As the population of the Florida Keys grew, the need for a more efficient way to travel from one island to another became apparent. In 1905, Standard Oil tycoon Henry Flagler developed and started construction on the Overseas Railroad, which ran as a connection from mainland Florida to Key West. Production was not finished until 1912, as work was frequently slowed due to hurricane damage. Tragically on Labor Day in 1935, a severe hurricane landed near Islamorada, destroying the railroad, and taking over 1,000 lives with it. Three years later the Overseas Highway was completed, built on the abandoned railroad bridges.

U.S. military forces have been present in the Florida Keys since the early 19th Century. They saw to it that the Keys were prevented from becoming an eternal haven for pirates. The strongest military presence in the Keys was felt during World War II. The volume of German warships and submarines in the surrounding waters made military occupation there not just strategic, but required. Bases were set up at the airport in Key West and throughout the Keys. Since then, the majority of those bases have been closed, but there is still a significant military presence in the area.

These days, tourism is the dominant industry in the Florida Keys. No matter the time of year, visitors are sure to be treated to great weather and hospitality, all of which provide a glimpse into what makes the Florida Keys distinctive.

A street in Key West, Florida

CLIMATE

The weather is pretty much near perfect year-round in the Florida Keys. The temperatures are quite stable, and the climate tropical. The mercury rarely dips much lower than 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius), and doesn't go much higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). The Keys tend to be a little bit cooler than mainland Florida on hot days, as the ocean air drops the temperature a few degrees. Hurricane season runs from June to October, but any kind of storm after October is a freak occurrence… it hardly ever happens. Hurricane season peaks in September, but that shouldn't be a deterrent for visiting then. After all, the Keys themselves get hit very rarely, and if need be, tourists are evacuated first.

TRANSPORTATION

Several major airlines have regular flights to the Florida Keys, landing at the Marathon and Key West airports. There are also some small charter airlines that fly into the Keys from major cities in Florida and the Bahamas. For water travel, Hawk Channel passes between the outer-most reefs and the Keys, and the Key West Shuttle is a high-speed ferry service that takes passengers from Florida's West Coast to Key West in 3.5 hours. Land travel is best done on the Overseas Highway, U.S. 1. It can be reached south of Miami, and will take drivers all the way to Key West. Mile Markers are used as reference points for drivers, with Key West being at Mile Marker 1.

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

Key Largo

Key Largo is the northernmost Key, and the self-proclaimed 'Diving Capital of the World'. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is an underwater park that offers snorkeling and scuba diving. The park's Visitor Center showcases a 30, 000 gallon above-ground tank that highlights underwater sea life. Divers can access "Christ of the Deep", a nine-foot high bronze statue symbolizing the peace of mankind, located underwater at Key Largo Dry Rocks. It is a popular diving site, and one of the most well-known underwater attractions in the Florida Keys.
Immediately south of Key Largo is Tavernier. Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center is located here. The Center focuses on nursing birds back to health and then re-introducing them to the wild. Visitors can take self-guided tours to see the birds that are recuperating. For bird watchers, there are numerous varieties here, including pelicans, spoonbills and ospreys.

Islamorada

If Key Largo is the place to go for diving, then Islamorada is the place for sportfishing. Charter boats and backcountry guides are not hard to come by for the sportfisher, but there's no lack of things to do for everyone else, either. Indian Key State Historic Site is rich in history. It was here that the occupation of 'Wrecking', salvaging various items off shipwrecks, became popular. Jacob Housman purchased the island in 1831, and turned it into a busy port, as well as form the small living community of Dade County, a residence for about fifty people. However, he was accused of illegal activities as a wrecker and eventually lost his license, and had to mortgage his island. In 1840, 100 Natives stormed the Island, looting and burning homes, and murdering some residents. Plants have grown over the ruined residences, and history lovers will find the stories from Indian Key State Historic Site's past fascinating.

Marathon

Marathon was named during the building of the Overseas Railroad. After a hurricane damaged much of the work that had been done, one of the workers looked around and said "This is turning into a real marathon." The name stuck. Marathon calls itself 'The Heart of the Florida Keys'. It is the most centrally located key, being 50 miles south of Key Largo, and the same distance north of Key West.
The most well-known attraction here is the Dolphin Research Center. The focus here is researching Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. The public is welcome to take part in various educational programs, including a dolphin swim. Interactive activities with the dolphins, as well as the sea lions are abundant, and visitors will get a great feel for just how complex these animals are.

Lower Keys

Each of the Lower Keys offers something a little different, but getting back to nature would be the main order of the day here. Big Pine Key is home to over 300 tiny Key deer, which roam free in the National Key Deer Refuge. Bahia Honda Key is home to spectacular beaches; frequently they are listed among the most beautiful in America. Campgrounds are available on Bahia Honda and Sunshine Key. The Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary and Looe Key Coral Reef are great attractions for the eco-tourist, as well as diving and snorkeling fanatics.

Sloppy Joe's, Key West, Florida

Key West

Key West is the kind of place people visit for a few days… and stay forever. Closer to Cuba than mainland Florida, Key West has a culture that's all its own, thanks in part to the strong Bahamian, European, and Cuban influences. Over the years Key West has been home to many famous residents. Playwright Tennessee Williams lived here, and the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center houses numerous theatrical and musical productions throughout the year. President Truman, James John Audobon, and Ernest Hemingway have also called Key West home, and each has their own museum highlighting their lives and their work. Ernest Hemingway has the distinction of having his own festival. Hemingway Days takes place in mid-July, and the events going on at the time have to be seen to be believed. A Hemingway Look-Alike Contest is held, with previous years winners acting as judges, arm-wrestling and Marlin competitions occur, as well as several literary competitions. Visitors to Hemingway House will be able to see some 50-odd descendants of his own six-toed cats.
Key West has a large gay population, and has long been a premium vacation getaway for the gay and lesbian community. There are numerous gay-friendly hotels and resorts on the island.
Key West is a great place to party. There are cafes, bars, pubs, and restaurants, and all have a very casual, laid back atmosphere, even if they are upscale. For shopping and dining, Bahama Village is a place not to be missed. It is the oldest neighborhood on the island, and a wrought-iron archway marks the entrance. Art galleries, as well as ethnic restaurants and shops showcase the Caribbean influence.