Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Conch Republic

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. The Conch Republic Marker

Inscription.
On April 18, 1982 at the head of the highway out of the Florida Keys, the United States Border Patrol established a road block. For the first time in the United States’ history, an entire section of the county was officially treated as a foreign land. Returning travelers were required to prove United States citizenship and subjected to forced searches.

At Noon on April 23, 1982 the Island of Key West, in a mock ceremony, declared its independence from the United States by naming ministers of the new nation which it called “The Conch Republic” and by hoisting its own flag.

Founding Fathers
Dennis Wardlow • Edwin O. Smith III •
Dennis Bitner • Townsend Kieffer
William E. Smith • John Magliola
Dedicated April 25, 1986 by
Prime Minister and Mayor Tom Sawyer

Erected 1986 by City of Key West.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is April 18, 1982.

Location. 24° 33.564′ N, 81° 48.416′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of Wall Street and Fitzpatrick Street, on the left when traveling south on Wall Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 Wall Street, Key West FL 33040, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Conch Republic (here, next to this marker); Island Welcome Center (Tift & Co.) Shell Warehouse (Ice House) (a few steps from this marker); Mel Fisher and 1622 Fleet Shipwreck Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Mallory Square (a few steps from this marker); Mary (a few steps from this marker); Wreckers (a few steps from this marker); "The Wreckers" (a few steps from this marker); The Origins of Island Roots & Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . . Conch Republic. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 29, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The Conch Republic image. Click for more information.

via Conch Republic, unknown

2. The Conch Republic

Official website homepage
Click for more information.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

3. The Conch Republic Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 415 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 28, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on July 25, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on May 28, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.