Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Key West Cemetery
December 31, 2009
1. Key West Cemetery Marker
Inscription.
Key West Cemetery was founded in 1847 following a hurricane the previous year that destroyed the earlier cemetery located near present day Higgs Beach. To protect from future flooding, the 19-acre cemetery was located here on Solares Hill, the highest natural elevation in Key West. An estimated 75,000 people are interred here, divided among parcels that reflect the cultural diversity that continues to characterize the city of Key West today. The cemetery contains a historic Catholic section, Jewish section, the USS Maine Plot dedicated in 1900, and the Los Martires de Cuba, a memorial for those who fought in the 1868 Cuban revolution. In addition to these defined areas, African Americans, Cubans and Americans, rich and poor, are interred throughout. In-ground and crypt style graves range from simple concrete copings filled with soil to elaborate monuments. Plot enclosures of wrought iron, wood, or concrete were often used to mark family plots.
Key West Cemetery was founded in 1847 following a hurricane the previous year that destroyed the earlier cemetery located near present day Higgs Beach. To protect from future flooding, the 19-acre cemetery was located here on Solares Hill, the highest natural elevation in Key West. An estimated 75,000 people are interred here, divided among parcels that reflect the cultural diversity that continues to characterize the city of Key West today. The cemetery contains a historic Catholic section, Jewish section, the USS Maine Plot dedicated in 1900, and the Los Martires de Cuba, a memorial for those who fought in the 1868 Cuban revolution. In addition to these defined areas, African Americans, Cubans and Americans, rich and poor, are interred throughout. In-ground and crypt style graves range from simple concrete copings filled with soil to elaborate monuments. Plot enclosures of wrought iron, wood, or concrete were often used to mark family plots.
Erected 2005 by the Historic Florida Keys Foundation, the City of Key West, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-551.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 24° 33.399′ N, 81° 47.776′
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W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker is at the intersection of Passover Lane and Angela Street, on the right when traveling north on Passover Lane. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Key West Cemetery
701 Passover Lane
Herein lies our history
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
7. Key West Cemetery Plaze on Gate
Key West Cemetery
A Florida Heritage Site
Founded in 1847
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
8. Key West Cemetery Gate
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,400 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 31, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida.
