Did you know?
A Spanish explorer, following in the footsteps of Ponce de Leon, found sun-bleached skeletons littering the ground on one island. he gave it the name of Cayo Hueso (ky-o way-so, or Bone Island). The name has become anglicized to Key West.
In 1818 the United States purchased Florida from Spain. Pirates infested the Keys at the time, and 1822 Commodore David Sydney Porter was sent to drive then away. His Key West based fleet successfully accomplished their task in short order.
The Spanish landowner sold Key West to John W. Simonton of New Jersey for $2,000 in 1822. Simonton sold three quarters of his interest to John Whitehead, John Fleming, and Pardon C. Greene. These four proprietors built home, shops, and warehouses by the natural harbor along Front and Wall Streets. The first industry was wrecking, the term then given to salvaging, rescuing people, and cargoes from ships that had gone aground on the treacherous, unmarked, and unlighted reefs. The wrecker had to take the salvaged goods to Key West where a court of law determined what portion of them should be awarded him for his efforts.
The town soon became a bustling maritime center, a stop-over port for vessels plying between the Gulf cities, Mexico, and the rest of the world. Its strategic location astride the commerce lanes was recognized by the military and Fort Jefferson and Fort Taylor were begun in 1845.
During much of the 19th century, Key West was the wealthiest city per capita in Florida. With the opening of the 20th century, Key West had an opera house, a trolley-car system, a plant for manufacturing illuminating gas, and after 1912, a railroad. The terminal was at the docks on Trumbo Island, now the Naval Station Annex.
An awareness of the island's history is essential to enjoyment and appreciation of Key West. the tropics have furnished it with its weather and it plants, and the influence of the sea is everywhere.
This is an old city, built to face the harbor. It grew to prosperity and power almost a hundred years ago, and virtually stood still for thirty grim years of declining population and wealth. it was this prolonged recession that has preserved the old buildings that are the city's pride today. In an age where the structures of a few years are demolished to be replaced by others of often more shoddy construction, the Key West classics remain. Remember as you tour Key West that many of these old homes were built by ship's carpenters from the best materials available at the time. They have survived hurricane winds, the tropical sun, and they represent the best of an older, quieter, and more gracious style of living.
Welcome to Key West in the Florida Keys
Key West is the last Florida Key linked by the Overseas Highway. This small island paradise has been host to spongers and wreckers, drug runners, fisherman, and even the United States Navy. Over the years Key West has evolved into a wealthy little tourist town. The island only spanning two miles by four miles and a population approximately 27,000 full time residents.
Here in Key West the calendar is filled with festivals, fishing tournaments, and yearly arts and entertainment. Other group events dot the calendar for conventions for Parrotheads, Power Boat Races, a nautical regatta, Pride week, and of course one of the biggest festival events, Fantasy Fest.
The azure blue waters that surround Key West and the Lower Florida Keys have much to offer for SCUBA divers, snorkelers and fisherman. There is no place else in the country to see so many species of marine life in one place. Wrecks and reefs, both artificial and natural coral, are home to hundreds of species of tropical and game fish. Whether you choose to go snorkeling on a catamaran or take a night dive on a wreck, you will be surprised at the sea life in our waters.
Fishing in Key West holds many angling opportunities. The waters just north of the Lower Keys are shallow and hold tarpon, bonefish, permit, shark and barracuda. Fly fisherman from all over the world come to the Florida Keys to saltwater fly fish. Wreck and reef fishing is very productive in the waters around Key West. Snapper, grouper, cobia and kingfish make for a great catch for dinner. Some restaurants in Key West will even cook your catch for you. Nothing better than the freshest seafood.
Key West has many great attractions for visitors of all ages. From the Ernest Hemingway Museum to the Key West Aquarium. Key West even has a ghost tour that takes visitors on a walking tour through town and highlights all the haunted homes.
Key West is also commonly known as the Conch Republic. Conch (pronounced konk) is a snail-like animal that lives in a beautiful shell. They are no longer harvested here in the Keys, but you can certainly find some of the best Conch Fritters you've ever tasted here in Key West. Each April Key West celebrates Conch Republic Days to commemorate our succession from the Union in 1982.
The Conch Republic was born on 23 April 1982, after the U.S. Border Patrol blockaded the Keys with a "border". Mayor Dennis Wardlow seceded from the Union, declared War, then surrendered demanding Foreign Aid; thusly creating "The People Who Seceded Where Others Failed". 
