| Originally settled by the Calussa Indians, the Spanish | | | | island. Other forms of transportation on the island are |
| conquistadors tried to take over this prime real | | | | electric cars, bicycles, mopeds, taxicabs, and bicycle |
| estate in the Southwestern Keys. The beaches | | | | carriages for two. Walking the streets, perhaps, is |
| became the burial grounds for many of the natives, | | | | the best way of seeing the island, which is four miles |
| thus giving the Island the name of Bone Island; Cayo | | | | long and one mile wide. Traffic can be a real |
| Hueso in Spanish. The English Anglicized this name to | | | | challenge, especially along US 1, which has its terminus |
| Key West. | | | | at mile marker 0. |
| John Simonton, and American businessman, | | | | Looking for action? Duval Street is your goal. Stop |
| purchased the island from Juan Pablo Salas and | | | | and have a beer at Hemingway's watering hole, |
| developed the island with the help of Greene, | | | | Sloppy Joe's bar and restaurant (the original bar is |
| Whitehead, and Fleming. They encouraged the Navy | | | | ½ block away at Capt. Tony's Saloon). If your |
| to open a base to combat piracy in the area. | | | | interests lean toward Jimmy Buffet, go to |
| The island prospered because the coral reefs brought | | | | Margaritaville, only four short blocks down the street. |
| many ships to Davy Jones Locker. Many became | | | | Up and down Duval restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, |
| millionaires from salvaging the numerous shipwrecks. | | | | and people watching beckon everyone to the narrow |
| At one point the people of Key West became the | | | | sidewalks. You might even come across one of Key |
| richest city per capita in the United States. | | | | West famous chickens strolling the street. |
| Henry Morrison Flager, against all odds and better | | | | Other highlights include Hemingway's home, with |
| judgement, built a railroad from Homestead to Key | | | | guided tours running $12.00 at this time. Views from |
| West. The first train arrived on January 22, 1912. This | | | | the exterior are free. Across Whitehead Street |
| connected the mainland with Key West. From Key | | | | stands the old lighthouse and keepers quarters. The |
| West, Havana Cuba was only ninety miles away. | | | | lighthouse was moved inland to protect it from |
| Considered the Eighth Wonder of the Modern world, | | | | hurricanes. A couple more blocks down the street is |
| the Overseas Railroad spanned 42 stretches of sea | | | | the Truman White House. President Truman used this |
| with causeways and bridges, the longest being seven | | | | resident and the many outbuildings during his time in |
| miles. From 1912 to 1935 Key West exploded as a | | | | office. Other dignitaries also followed his lead: John F. |
| tourist and business center. A major Class five | | | | Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Colin Powell. |
| hurricane destroyed much of the tracks in 1935. Once | | | | Talking about President Truman, not to be missed is |
| again Key West had been cut off from the mainland. | | | | the Margaret Truman Laundromat. Rumor has it that |
| The State of Florida purchased the Overseas Railroad | | | | it was named for Margaret Truman, the president's |
| right-of way and turned it into the Overseas Highway | | | | daughter. Its location is at the corner of Margaret |
| in 1938, using the roadbed and bridges Henry Flager | | | | and Truman Streets. Thus its named. |
| built. | | | | Along Truman Street sits the convent of Our Lady |
| World War II brought new prosperity to the island | | | | of the Sea. Many survivors of the hurricane of 1935 |
| with the Naval Base. Ernest Hemmingway and | | | | were treated there. The nuns erected a grotto next |
| Tennessee Williams resided and visited the island. | | | | to the church in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes. When |
| Cuban tobacco became hand rolled cigars. | | | | hurricane season approaches many candles light the |
| In 1981 the Us Government set up road blocks near | | | | grotto as a prayer to keep Key West free and safe. |
| Key Largo, cutting off the tourist trade to Key | | | | A marker designates the Southernmost spot in the |
| West. Not too sure why this happened. The citizens | | | | Continental USA. Tourists love to have their picture |
| of Key West decided to secede. They formed the | | | | taken by it. |
| Conch (Pronounced conk) Republic. Many still fly the | | | | We ate lunch at Pepe's Restaurant on Caroline |
| flag today. They demanded billions in reparation and | | | | Street, near Flager Station. This eatery, established in |
| foreign aide. The US Government ignored their | | | | 1909, features American food in abundance. I had a |
| wishes; but they did remove the roadblocks. | | | | hard time finishing my open faced meatloaf sandwich. |
| Today Key West thrives primarily on tourism. Arrive | | | | A trip to Key West is taking in the numerous water |
| by driving the 128 miles along the Overseas Highway | | | | sports: parasailing, jet skis, snorkeling, riding glass |
| on the old railroad bed, or fly into Key West Airport, | | | | bottom boats, deep sea fishing, or just relaxing on |
| or take the Key West Express ferry from Marco | | | | the beaches on the Atlantic Ocean side. A day trip to |
| Island or Ft. Myers Beach. To acquaint yourself to the | | | | The Dry Tortugas National Park (Fort Jefferson) |
| island take the 1½ to 2 hour Conch Tour Train. | | | | leaves daily from Key West. |
| Tickets can be purchased at the booth at the Flager | | | | Above all people-watching, the climate, and the laid |
| Train station or at The Old Town ticket booth near | | | | back atmosphere draws people, young and old, to |
| Mallory Square. The guided tour travels just about | | | | the Conch Republic. It beckons you too. |
| every street in Key West: a great orientation to the | | | | |