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