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.

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

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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′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It 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.

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 distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Key West Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Eyebrow House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saw Tooth Roof (about 600 feet away);

December 31, 2009

2. Key West Cemetery Marker

Shotgun House (about 700 feet away); The W.H. Albury House (about 800 feet away); Key West's Metal Roofs (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Neighborhood Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Solares Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Battleship Maine Memorial Section image. Click for full size.

December 31, 2009

3. Battleship Maine Memorial Section

Unknown Dead from the Maine image. Click for full size.

December 31, 2009

4. Unknown Dead from the Maine

Key West Cemetery image. Click for full size.

December 31, 2009

5. Key West Cemetery

Key West Cemetery Plaque on Gate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015

6. Key West Cemetery Plaque on Gate

Key West Cemetery 701 Passover Lane Herein lies our history

Key West Cemetery Plaze on Gate image. Click for full size.

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

Key West Cemetery Gate image. Click for full size.

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 1,626 times since then and 32 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.