Islamorada in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Triangle of History
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
1. Triangle of History Marker
1. North East end Lower Matecumbe Key - Ancient Water Wells - only fresh water on Upper Keys - Used by Indians, Sailors and Traders in XVII Century. Huge Indian Midden (Kitchen) near Wells.
2. Indian Key - Spanish Trading Post - established by Antonio Gomez, approximately 1695.
3. Lignumvitae Key - Spanish Outpost - Indian burial grounds.
About 1549, Hernando De Escalante Fontaneda - son of a Spanish Comendero serving King Philip II in Carthegena - enroute to Spain for schooling - shipwrecked on the Keys - held prisoner by Caloosa Indians 17 years - His "Memoirs" the first detailed description of Florida.
Erected 1954 by Florida Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Colonial Dames XVII Century, National Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1695.
Location. 24° 53.364′ N, 80° 40.624′ W. Marker is in Islamorada, Florida, in Monroe County. It is on Overseas
this page online
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: Indian Key Historic State Park (a few steps from this marker); San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve (within shouting distance of this marker); Tea Table Key (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan Ponce de Leon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rafters (about 300 feet away); Spanish Treasure Fleet of 1733 (about 300 feet away); Florida East Coast Railroad Oversea Extension
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
2. Grassy area with markers
Regarding Triangle of History. The Triangle of History marker is located in grassy area with a wooden deck and includes markers describing San Pedro Underwater Archeological Preserve, Indian Key Historic State Park, and Tea Table Key.
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
3. Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Lignumvitae Key has one of the finest virgin tropical forests remaining in the Florida Keys. The forest is composed of nearly four dozen species of trees including: mastic, gumbo limbo, strangler fig, poisonwood, pigeon plum, mahogany and lignumvitae.
Lignumvitae Key was part of an ancient coral reef tract exposed during the Wisconsin glacial interval. It contains 280 acres and has an elevation of 16 1/2 feet.
In 1919, William Matheson established a residence on the Key. A windmill supplied electricity and cisterns collected rainwater for drinking. Today, visitors can see the house and grounds unchanged from an earlier time.
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
4. Lignumvitae Key in distance
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
5. Marker is at a boat launch on the bayside of Overseas Highway.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,076 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 29, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
