A Floribbean Island - Key West, FL

American industrialist and a founder of Standard Oil, Henry Flagler saw the benefits of connecting Key West to the mainland and that’s why he created his Overseas Railroad, which operated here from 1912 to 1935. A large part of the current US 1 was built on the former right-of-way of the Overseas Railroad, and you can still see the remnants of the original track on the drive down here, although most of it was destroyed during the a 1935 hurricane.

Today, the most southern part of the mainland USA is a vibrant, laid-back paradise. It is palm trees, colorful buildings, the scent of saltwater in the air mixed with a rich history. There are historical sites like the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Key West Lighthouse, and the Harry S. Truman Little White House.

Here is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

This Victorian mansion was built in 1897 by Jude Jeptha Vining Harris. When the building was a nightclub called Cafe Cayo Hueso in the 1940’s, it hosted guests which included Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal, Tallulah Bankhead, Gloria Swanson, Louis Armstrong, Charles Lindbergh and of course Ernest Hemingway . Today it is a boutique hotel called Southernmost House, getting its name from the nearby southernmost point buoy marker.

The Aquarium was a WPA project during the Great Depression. Construction began in 1933 and it opened in 1935.

The restored Tropic Cinema was founded by a group of disenchanted film buffs looking to bring unique documentary, independent and foreign films to Key West.

Harry S Truman’s Little White House was originally a two-family residence for the Navy Commandant and the Paymaster. In 1911, this was converted to a single-family dwelling that would be used by President Truman. Other presidents like John F Kennedy, Dwight D Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton have also used the residence.

Do you like the images posted?
Click here to explore the shop.

Key West in History

By Carlisle, Rodney, Carlisle, Loretta

Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean

By Standiford, Les

Hidden History of the Florida Keys

By Albritton, Laura, Wilkinson, Jerry

Duval Street is the famous street is the heart of Key West's nightlife and entertainment scene.

Some stores sell souvenir roosters, hens and chicks which can be heard and seen roaming the streets here, and have for decades.

The Lewinsky Building, now occupied by the GAP, was built in 1920 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Strand Theater opened in the early 1920’s, and in 1993, it became the home of Ripley’s Belive It Or Not Odditorium. It was sold to Walgreens but still retains the facade and marquee.

As part of the San Carlos Institute, which was founded in 1871 to help the Cuban community in Key West, the San Carlos Theater is the first and oldest theater in Key West.

St Paul’s Episcopal Church was established in 1832 and is the oldest church in South Florida.

Key West is closer to Cuba than Miami

Floridian houses have a unique style of architecture, which is very noticeable.

Charming houses painted in pastel colors

White houses with large porches

.

.

.

.

.

The Marilyn Monroe statue outside the Tropic Cinema

The shoe used in the Red Shoe Drop each New Year’s Eve on the upper porch of the New Orleans House.

The building the Green Parrot occupies has been around since 1890, but the bar opened around the beginning of World War II.

.

.

.

A presidental limosine President Truman used during his 1945-53 presidency.

Truman’s Little White House

Dollar bills hanging at World Famous Willie T’s Bar

.

Key West is a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and island charm.

This concrete buoy marks the southernmost point of the USA.

.

The Key West Lighthouse was completed in 1847

.

The New Orleans House on Duvall

Key West is known as The Conch Republic as a result of declaring independence from the US to protest a 1982 blockade on US 1 by the US Border Patrol searching for illegal immigrants, stopping every vehicle creating a 17 mile traffic jam. Though the separation was brief, the name Conch Republic was adopted as the official name of the short lived nation.

The US Coast Guard Cutter Ingham

The 1891 restored Custom House is now the home of the Key West Museum of Art & History.

.

The lookout tower at the Shipwreck Museum

A cruise ship docking for a day of fun in Key West.

The Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden features busts of important contributors to Key West Ernest Hemingway, Harry S Truman and others.

It was Ernest Hemingway who encouraged the bar’s final name change to Sloppy Joe’s. The bar has been serving locals, celebrities and travelers from all walks of life since 1933.

Notice the Husband Day Care Center sign on the door

.

The entrance to the area surrounding Truman’s Little White House

Harry Truman’s Winter White House was originally constructed in 1890 as naval officers housing. Trumans spent 175 days of his presidency here from 1946 though 1952. Other presidents have included William Howard Taft in 1912, Dwight Eisenhower in 1955-56, John Kennedy in 1961 and 1962 and former Presidents Jimmy Carter in 1996 and 2007 and Bill Clinton in 2005.

The rooms are filled with informal furniture. Unfortunately, no interior photography was allowed.

Inside Ernest Hemingway’s Key West Home

A local favorite, Key lime pie

What you should know:

• There are a variety of restaurant and nightlife entertainment options both on and off of Duvall Street.

• Staying and eating here can be pricey.

• Parking downtown is definitely an issue. The majority of the parking is paid. Many of the spots marked with “Residents” need a registered resident parking permit. There are about 10 paid parking lots that charge by the hour / day, but they fill up fast.

• The downtown area is very walkable, and it is a great way to get around.

For more information: Key West FL