Islamorada in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Indian Key
Historic Plaque
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 16, 2015
1. Indian Key Marker
Inscription.
Indian Key, an 11 acre island just offshore to the east, played an important part in Florida's history. An Indian village 1500 years ago, it was also the home of pirates roaming the Caribbean, and a ship wrecker's village during the 1810's. The original seat of Dade County in 1836, the village consisted of some thirty houses, a warehouse, wharves, a general store, shops, U.S. Post Office, a hotel with ballroom and bowling alleys. It became the site of the Tropical Plant Company with a nursery on Lower Matecumbe, raising sisal for hemp rope, and mulberry trees used in the silk industry. Indians attacked the island killing Dr. Henry Perrine and five others the night of August 7, 1840. Just over the bridge on Lower Matecumbe stood a large Indian village with fresh water wells used by Spanish fleets going to and from Spain.
Indian Key, an 11 acre island just offshore to the east, played an important part in Florida's history. An Indian village 1500 years ago, it was also the home of pirates roaming the Caribbean, and a ship wrecker's village during the 1810's. The original seat of Dade County in 1836, the village consisted of some thirty houses, a warehouse, wharves, a general store, shops, U.S. Post Office, a hotel with ballroom and bowling alleys. It became the site of the Tropical Plant Company with a nursery on Lower Matecumbe, raising sisal for hemp rope, and mulberry trees used in the silk industry. Indians attacked the island killing Dr. Henry Perrine and five others the night of August 7, 1840. Just over the bridge on Lower Matecumbe stood a large Indian village with fresh water wells used by Spanish fleets going to and from Spain.
Location. 24° 53.506′ N, 80° 40.296′ W. Marker is in Islamorada, Florida, in Monroe County. It is on Overseas Highway (U.S. 1 at milepost 77), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Islamorada FL 33036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 746 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on July 3, 2021, by Dan Pine of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 21, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
