| The "Caribbean" of the United States...The Florida Keys and Key West
If you want to feel as though you went to the "Caribbean" yet not leave the continental United States, head to the Florida Keys. Key West is the southernmost city in the United States. It is a place in the east where you can watch a western sunset over the ocean. It is a place where turquoise water, ocean breezes and warm tropical sun all create a relaxing US paradise. Key West is known as the "Conch Republic" where "casual" dress is almost too dressy.
More importantly, Key West is known for great restaurants, unique architecture, artists, entertainment, and fun nightlife..and parrot heads.
Early Key West and the Keys History
The Keys have their named derived from the early Spanish explorers who called the small islands "cayo" or cay which was pronounced as thought it was spelled kay. Early pre Revolutionary War maps used the word "Keys" to refer to what we know as this strings of Florida islands.
Native Indians were the first settlers of the islands. European explorers and merchants became the first tourists seeking fresh water, fish, lumber and refuge from storms or shipwrecks. The first American settlers appeared in 1821. The deepwater port of Key West became the area's economic center, fueling rapid growth to the region. By 1830 the population grew to 517 and by 1850 it was more than 5 times that to 2,645. In its early years, the principal industries were "wrecking", which was the salvage of ship wrecks as well as the production of salt which had great demand throughout the U.S. for preserving food.
At the time of the Civil War, Key West became the center for the Union's maritime blockading force and the areas population grew, the locals profited from it. Around the sametime, lighthouses were being built causing the wrecking industry to decline. In 1831 the first Cuban influenced cigar factory was built in Key West and the subsequent Cuban Independence War of 1868 afforded Key West the opportunity to become a cigar capitol with a positive economic impact to the area.
The first City of Key west was largely constructed in wood and in 1886 a fire destroyed all of the downtown area totaling more than 50 buildings. After the fire, many buildings were rebuilt using red brick. |
