Welcome to the Blue Hole Observation Platform and Nature Trail
History
The Blue Hole was originally excavated for use as a limestone quarry. Many of the original roads on Big Pine Key were built using the crushed limestone from this . . . — — Map (db m245812) HM
The first Overseas Highway, also known as State Road 4A (SR 4A), consisted of two roadway segments both completed by 1928. One spanned from Key West to No Name Key, and the other from Key Largo to Upper Matecumbe Key. Ferries transported cars . . . — — Map (db m127507) HM
The Dry Tortugas receive about 30 inches of rain yearly. The entire roof of the fort, as seen here, served as a hasin to catch as much of the rain as possible. From here, pipes carried the water down to cisterns beneath the gunrooms on the ground . . . — — Map (db m293039) HM
Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army; who died at this post of Yellow Fever, September 8th. 1867, in the 30th. year of his age.
In admiration of his virtues as a man, of his zealous and impartial conduct as an officer, and his devotion to his . . . — — Map (db m293033) WM
Before 1951, Duck Key was an isolated island with minor salt production and cultivation of sea cotton. In 1951, Miami developer Bryan W. Newkirk Sr. and his business partners, Telfair Knight, Robert Eugene Otto, and his son, Bryan W. Newkirk Jr. . . . — — Map (db m310033) HM
The Florida Keys and South Florida residents are always aware of the danger and possibility of a tropical storm or hurricane striking the area from June through October of each year. They had been through hurricanes many times in the 50 years . . . — — Map (db m151503) HM
The Florida Keys Memorial, known locally as the “Hurricane Monument,” was built to honor hundreds of American veterans and local civilians who perished in the “Great Hurricane” on Labor Day, September 2, 1935. Islamadora . . . — — Map (db m3251) HM
The Category 5, 1935 Labor Day Hurricane devastated Islamorada and the Upper Keys. The storm brought sustained winds above 180 mph, gusts over 200 mph, and 18 feet of tidal surge. Barometric readings reached a record-breaking low of 26.35 inches. It . . . — — Map (db m284864) HM
Sculptor Richard Blaze created Betsy the Lobster, made from fiberglass. She is a 30 foot high and 40 foot long biologically correct model of a Florida Spiny Lobster. The sculptor began to work on the piece in 1980 in Marathon Florida and it took . . . — — Map (db m292927) HM
Art McKee, "Father of Modern Treasure Diving", salvaged this iron cannon in the mid-1950's from the wreck of the H.M.S. Winchester that foundered in 1695 off of Key Largo near Carysfort Light.
Preparation, transport and placement at the History . . . — — Map (db m292928) HM
Early pioneers built their homes along the island chain's Atlantic edges to take advantage of the ocean breezes. Before the age of pest control and electricity, wind provided a rudimentary means of pest control and worked as a cooling element. Prior . . . — — Map (db m280053) HM
The early explorers reported seeing Indians in large dugout canoes, some fifty feet long piled with furs, feathers, and articles of trade between the Keys, Cuba, and the Bahamas.
Bahamian wood cutters after stripping the Bahamas of its hardwood . . . — — Map (db m292984) HM
Over the past several million years, the seas have risen and fallen many times. There were times when Florida became very small and even disappeared due to being covered by water. What we know as Florida is only the top of a larger area, known as . . . — — Map (db m225802) HM
In 1928 the Rustic Inn was built to serve enthusiastic tourists traveling the Florida Keys on the new rail and highway systems. The Inn was one of the few structures left standing after the "Great Hurricane" of 1935. It was later repaired and . . . — — Map (db m150490) HM
The public library building was constructed originally by the Red Cross and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) three years after the "Great Hurricane of 1935, to serve as a community hurricane shelter. Prior to that time no protective . . . — — Map (db m292934) HM
The veterans of World War I were promised a bonus but due to the Great Depression of the early 1930s the government was without funds.
Roosevelt was president and formed the Florida Emergency Relief Administration to create jobs for those . . . — — Map (db m116064) HM
After the 'Great Hurricane' of 1935, the Red Cross and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed 16 houses for Islamorada area families. Built to be 'hurricane proof,' they consisted of poured concrete and steel. Several hurricane houses . . . — — Map (db m151492) HM
The veterans of World War I, under the Florida Emergency Relief Administration, were building piers in channel 2, just below Lower Matecumbe, when the greatest storm ever hit this part of the Keys. The 200-plus mile per hour winds with a barometer . . . — — Map (db m151493) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m176361) HM
Indian Key is an 11-acre island located in the ocean at MM 78 directly offshore of the Indian Key Irving R. Eyster Bridge. Once home to Calusa Indians, the island was frequently used by Spanish explorers as a port to obtain freshwater from the . . . — — Map (db m292932) HM
Native Americans began occupying Indian Key by approximately A.D. 1000. It was visited by the Spanish during the 17th century, and a trading post had been established on the island by the early 19th century.
The island was acquired by Jacob . . . — — Map (db m224711) HM
These wells were surrounded by an Indian village over 1000 years ago. The Spanish used the wells to replace their water supply before crossing to the mother country.
This site was a salvage camp to recover the treasure from the Spanish galleons . . . — — Map (db m241229) HM
The first manufacturing industry in the Keys in Islamorada existed between 200 BC and 1250 AD. This dates to an Indian village that produced salt by trapping salt water. As the water evaporated it left salt.
Key West had a salt industry in the . . . — — Map (db m292931) HM
During the "Great Hurricane" of 1935, the Matecumbe Methodist Church was destroyed. It was originally located near the beach on the Atlantic side of Upper Matecumbe Key. In 1937 the congregation built a new wooden church adjacent to the Hurricane . . . — — Map (db m150491) HM
Juan Ponce de Leon was born in San Servas, Spain in 1460. He had served in the Spanish army and had accompanied Christopher Columbus in his second voyage in 1491. He was appointed governor of Haiti in 1511 and governor of Puerto Rico in 1512. . . . — — Map (db m83555) HM
From the time Ponce de Leon discovered Florida to exploration by the the Spanish and other nations, the reef of the Florida Keys was known as the most perilous part of the entire journey. Ships traversing to and from Europe to Cuba, the Caribbean, . . . — — Map (db m292933) HM
Matecumbe Methodist Church memorializes the determination and vision of the three pioneer families who labored to settle and organize the first community on Upper Matecumbe Key. These families were the Russells, Pinders and Parkers.
The early . . . — — Map (db m277943) HM
When the Europeans arrived in America, two tribes of Indians were found in Florida, the Calusa and the Tequesta. These tribes emerged from the Archaic Period (the time when Florida became subtropical, around 5000 B.C.). The Calusa was the largest . . . — — Map (db m222295) HM
This cemetery memorializes the determination and vision of over 50 pioneer Anglo-Bahamian Conchs who labored to settle and organize the first community on Matecumbe Key. Descendants of three Islamorada pioneer families, the Russells who homesteaded . . . — — Map (db m150493) HM
Plantation Key was named for the many pineapple plantations in the early 1900s. Johnny Brush Pinder owned one of these containing over 100 acres. It was here on the beach in front of his home that he built the schooner "Island Home'. It was launched . . . — — Map (db m149435) HM
This plaque is in memory of the many Cubans who were desperate to leave Castros' communist Cuba. They left their homes and families trying to cross the 90 miles of sea in rafts, innertubes or anything that would float.
Not knowing what rough . . . — — Map (db m83553) HM
In April, 1926, Monroe County began construction of a road on the east end of Upper Matecumbe to connect with other islands. It eventually made it possible to drive to Key West by using a ferry.
The first car drove to Key West on Jan. 25 1928 . . . — — Map (db m83879) HM
The Vessel, San Pedro, was part of the Spanish colonial convoy system of the 1700s. These ships carried gold, silver and other goods from the new world back to Spain. After leaving Cuba on July 13, 1733, a hurricane forced the fleet towards the . . . — — Map (db m224717) HM
Established in 1934, during the Great Depression, Camp Three housed 250 Bonus Army veterans until September 2, 1935 when one of the worst hurricanes ever recorded destroyed everything there. The eye of the hurricane passed over nearby Craig Key with . . . — — Map (db m83592) HM
The south side of this property contained Robert's Grocery and the second post office. Today this is the site of the sixth post office. Across the highway, the original "Village of Islamorada" meaning "Island Home" was platted and named by William . . . — — Map (db m150460) HM
On Friday, July 13, 1733, the Spanish treasure fleet under the command of General Don Rodrigo de Torres Morales, sailed from Havana Harbor for Spain.
The fleet of 21 ships was loaded with gold and silver from the mine at Cartagena, Peruvian . . . — — Map (db m83550) HM
Indians lived on this island over 1000 years ago. In 1722, it was known as Boys Island. In Dec., 1838, Lt. Coste established a Naval base here and named it Ft. Paulding. This was the base for the West Indian Squadron used to blockade the coast to . . . — — Map (db m176362) HM
Like nearby Upper and Lower Matecumbe and Indian Keys, Tea Table Key was occupied by native Americans during prehistoric times. The early inhabitants settled here to take advantage of the abundance of maritime resources available in the area. . . . — — Map (db m224714) HM
Upper Matecumbe Key has been inhabited periodically since about 2000 B.C. Much has changed on the island, but the climate, the sea, and the relaxed lifestyle continue.
Island Natives
Long before European settlement of Florida, Upper . . . — — Map (db m224647) HM
The Florida Keys Memorial
The "Hurricane Monument" memorializes hundreds of American veterans and local citizens who died in the "Great Hurricane" of 1935. The cremated remains of approximately 300 veterans and local citizens were . . . — — Map (db m222363) HM
The 1,000-square-foot Russell Cottage was built of Dade County pine circa 1937. It is an example of a typical home of vernacular construction built in the wake of the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. It was initially located near the Islamorada Post Office . . . — — Map (db m297777) HM
The "Overseas Railroad" was a masterpiece of engineering, proclaimed the "eighth wonder of the world." In 1904 Henry M. Flagler, oil magnate, hotelier, and owner of the Florida East Coast Railway, coined the battle cry for his engineers, "Go to . . . — — Map (db m224640) HM
The Spanish Treasure Fleets
From the time Columbus discovered the New World in 1492, the Spanish transported goods back to Spain. Gold, silver, emeralds, and other riches were now transported on Spanish ships across the ocean . . . — — Map (db m222237) HM
The Storm that Still Howls
With winds in excess of 200-mph, the Labor Day hurricane of 1935 was the most intense storm ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere and was the first known Category 5 storm.
The full force of the deadly . . . — — Map (db m224629) HM
The great Labor Day hurricane of Sept. 2, 1935 destroyed almost every building in the Matecumbes.
The W.P.A. and the Red Cross built hurricane proof houses for the families whose homes were destroyed. The walls are 12" thick with steel and . . . — — Map (db m151490) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m83862) HM
On January 3rd, 2023, six brave souls landed on the beach in Islamorada after navigating more than 140 miles in this homemade boat from Communist Cuba to freedom in the United States of America. — — Map (db m292926) HM
Yellow Submarine Circa mid-1960s; Unknown Maker; Colorado, USA
One-man submarine used by a Colorado fire-rescue team and later for recreational purposes by a Key West dive shop. It has a WWII era motor; a battery box; air-driven; ballast . . . — — Map (db m292929) HM
The African Queen vessel was created in 1912 and is on the American National Historic Register. Her boiler is custom made and is historically correct and her steam engine is from 1896. She was restored in 2012 and has to be meticulously maintained . . . — — Map (db m83207) HM
A swing span bridge once crossed Jewfish Creek just beyond this location. Early in the construction of Henry Flaglers Overseas Railway from the Mainland to Key West, Jewfish Creek was identified as a critical site along the route. In 1905, . . . — — Map (db m150853) HM
Determined to witness the completion of Key West the Overseas Railroad, which would moor to the mainland, Henry Morrison Flagler arrived in Key West at 10:43 a.m. on the morning of January 21, 1912 aboard a steam locomotive pulling several . . . — — Map (db m249148) HM
This magnificent sculpture "The Wreckers" at 18 feet long and 25 feet high captures the spirit of Key West as a bold, boisterous and bustling sea town out on the frontier of a young America. The early wreckers are depicted engaging in their work of . . . — — Map (db m243016) HM
"Western Union"
Built in the great tradition of the wrecking vessels that were used in Key West in the 1800's, the 130 ft. schooner Western Union has three distinctions.
She is
I. The last example of a traditional American coasting . . . — — Map (db m246073) HM
In 1873 Fort Jefferson's armament was modernized to include six 15-inch Rodman smoothbore cannon and four 300-pounder rifled Parrott guns. Of the 141 guns listed at the fort when the garrison left in 1874, only those 10 remain here today. The other . . . — — Map (db m193412) HM
On October 11, 1846, the worst hurricane in local memory struck. The storm surge flooded the streets with up to eight feet of water accompanied by Category 4 winds. The lighthouse and all but six of the city's eight hundred buildings were damaged, . . . — — Map (db m243688) HM
Key West experienced two major hurricanes in 1909 and 1910. Both hit in October and rated between a category 3 & 4 hurricane. In 1909, more than 400 buildings were destroyed. Many of the buildings were blown off their foundations, collapsed from . . . — — Map (db m243690) HM
In January of 1863, Col. James Montgomery of Kansas was authorized to raise a regiment of troops consisting entirely of free blacks and former refugee slaves. The following month, he arrived in Key West to recruit men for that regiment.
All . . . — — Map (db m224902) HM WM
2 1/2-Story Classic Revival Residence, a "Masonry and Frame Dwelling" embodies the twin touchstones of Key West's illustrious past: both Civilian & Military history.
Listed on Truman Annex National Register District, 1982
It is listed in the . . . — — Map (db m249546) HM
The Raven House was built in 1889 after the Great Fire of 1886 destroyed the original structure. This beautiful home is considered one of the original Grande Dames of Key West. She was one of the first homes in Old Town to be restored and housed . . . — — Map (db m243888) HM
The Norvin Green Maloney House at 729 Truman Avenue is a splendid, three-story Queen Anne home built in 1904. Defined by its unique encircling wide wooden verandas and expansive front garden, the frame house is historic, distinguished by its . . . — — Map (db m243845) HM
A&B Lobster House was founded in 1947 by two fishermen, Alonzo Cothron and Berlin Felton, thus the name A&B. The pair were featured in Life Magazine and established a reputation for outstanding seafood fine dining a tradition carried . . . — — Map (db m224457) HM
Maitland Adams began working as secretary for the Key West Box Company on February 21, 1914. The Box Factory, owned by Norberg Thompson, made cedar boxes for the cigar industry. When the cigar industry faltered as Americans started smoking . . . — — Map (db m222914) HM
Near this site lie the remains of 294 African men, women and children who died in Key West in 1860. In the summer of that year the U.S. Navy rescued 1,432 Africans from three American-owned ships engaged in the illegal slave trade. Ships bound . . . — — Map (db m298170) HM
In memory of all who died because of this chemical.
And pray for those who are still suffering.
Remember Our Sacrifice
1967 Eternity — — Map (db m224878) WM
The cigar industry of Key West dates from 1831, when the first cigar factory was established. After the 1868 Cuban War of Independence, Key Wests cigar manufacturing industry boomed, reaching its zenith at the turn of the twentieth century. In . . . — — Map (db m127501) HM
Alfred Goldsboro Mayor, who studied the biology of many seas and here founded a laboratory for research for the Carnegie Institution directing it for XVIII years with conspicuous success, brilliant versatile courageous utterly forgetful of self. He . . . — — Map (db m9304) HM
In memory of those who served in Vietnam Honor Roll
Albury, Leland W. Jr.
Daniels, David R.
Jones, Luther M.
Knight, Peter S.
Morgan, James R.
Recupero, Richard A.
Roque, Florentino R.
Solomon, Eckwood H.
Anderson, . . . — — Map (db m292951) WM
In contrast with the soldiers' barracks, the three-story, 68-room officers' quarters that stood here was an island of civility and comfort for the officers, women, children, and slaves or servants. The complex was begun in 1848 and enlarged in 1863. . . . — — Map (db m240115) HM
These anchors sank with the ships Atocha and Santa Margarita in 1622. Each anchor weighs approximately 2,200 lbs. For almost 400 years, they lay on the ocean floor. The iron in the anchors survived, but the wood did not. The wooden . . . — — Map (db m245826) HM
Antipiracy Campaign
A major outbreak of piracy in the Caribbean began in 1815 after the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. By 1820, it had reached epidemic proportions. In that year, pirates robbed twenty-seven American . . . — — Map (db m224138) WM
Arnold Samuelson greatly admired the life and works of Hemingway. He majored in journalism and planned to follow in Ernest's footsteps. In 1934, however, Samuelson realized his chances of becoming a reporter were greatly diminished due to the . . . — — Map (db m246977) HM
Asa Tift, was the son of Captain Amos Tift, one of the early settlers of Key West. He arrived here with his sons in 1825. Amos built a store in Key West that was taken over by Asa and his brothers on the death of their father. They expanded their . . . — — Map (db m222701) HM
Notice the design of the fountain below. It was built by Asa Tift in 1862 and replicates the cutting edge warship design he and his brother, Nelson, developed for the Confederacythe Ironclad Warship.
The Confederate Secretary of Navy, a friend . . . — — Map (db m246967) HM
Asa Tift constructed the buildings on this estate from 1849 to 1851. This smokehouse is one of the original structures built during this period and was designed to preserve meat and fish for the Tift household and servants. The smokehouse and the . . . — — Map (db m249798) HM
Captain John H. Geiger, skilled pilot and master wrecker, built this house in 1830. It is typical of the era when, in 1832, the famed naturalist, John James Audubon, visited Key West to study and sketch the birds of the Florida Keys. On March 18, . . . — — Map (db m243863) HM
Welcome to the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens, named after the famous naturalist John James Audubon. (1785-1851) This historic house museum was established in 1960 to commemorate his 1832 expedition to the Florida Keys, during which time he . . . — — Map (db m243864) HM
Michael Mabelty was appointed Principal Lighthouse Keeper in 1826 for the first Key West Lighthouse. His wife Barbara was hired as the Assistant Keeper. Michael did not serve long - he contracted yellow fever and died. Since his wife was familiar . . . — — Map (db m232473) HM
Welcome to the oldest Roman Catholic Parish in South Florida. There is evidence that Spanish Jesuits serving in Cuba first attempted to establish a mission in Key West as early as 1724.The first Catholic Church on the island was dedicated February . . . — — Map (db m101385) HM
Battery Adair was designed in the early 1890s as part of the Endicott Period upgrades to
Fort Taylor. It added four 3-inch 15-pounder Rapid Fire Rifles on masking parapet mounts. Construction began in 1898 under the supervision of the U.S. Army . . . — — Map (db m240165) HM
Battery Osceola was added to the fort in 1898. It mounted two 12-inch long-range rifles on barbette carriages. The guns each weighed over 117,000 pounds and fired shells which could reach targets over 30,000 yards (or almost 17 miles). They fired . . . — — Map (db m240160) HM
This historic site is the last remaining of four battery fortifications built as part of Key West's coastal harbor defense system. The battery consists of two open-topped concrete reinforced mortar gun pits separated by a central magazine. Each of . . . — — Map (db m243933) HM
Built by Benjamin Curry, Jr., the brother of Florida's first millionaire, the property has remained in the family for well over a century. His grandson, Beniamin Curry Moreno, was a city engineer responsible for developing Key West's modern roads . . . — — Map (db m223264) HM
Bernice Dixon arrived in Key West in 1937 with her husband, Ralph Dixon, a bridge engineer. They fell in love with Key West, and Bernice opened The Beachcomber Jewelry Store on Duval Street in 1938.
A very astute and successful businesswoman, . . . — — Map (db m249795) HM
Bernie Papy was born the 13th of 14 children in a family of modest means. He left school in the 6th grade to help support his family. In 1924, he entered the real estate business. Later with Victor Moffat and Charles Perez he bought Saunders . . . — — Map (db m223711) HM
Model 1844 8-inch Columbiad
The original guns brought to the Fort in 1856. Two guns were recovered in the early 1980s from the base of the concrete foundation of Battery Osceola.
Model 1858 10-inch Columbiad
Later addition to Fort . . . — — Map (db m240184) HM
This building was its first office
On Oct. 28, 1927 Pan American flight No. 1 taxied down a runway in Key West bound for Havana. This was the first United States international air service in scheduled operation. — — Map (db m243865) HM
This historical sculpture is created out of a cut-out section of the original concrete foundation wall that once surrounded the Twin Towers & World Trade Center in NYC, NY. The wall was the last thing standing after 9/11. This piece weighs in at . . . — — Map (db m292334) WM
Other than bread, fish, shrimp, and turtles, most of the foodsalted pork, salted beef, and beanscame from the mainland. Officers fared better than the soldiers and prisoners. "The bread was a mixture of flour, bugs, sticks and dirt," Lincoln . . . — — Map (db m248002) HM
In 1787, the HMS Bounty set sail from Tahiti fully loaded with sapling Breadfruit Trees headed for the Caribbean Islands to be planted as a cheap food crop for slaves. The tree produces a high energy, nutritious, cantaloupe-sized fruit. The . . . — — Map (db m243887) HM
Built as part of a Methodist educational complex at Hargrove Seminary, Bruce Hall featured a 600 seat auditorium with a roof garden. It served as part of the United States Navy Hospital during World War I through World War II. After 40 years of . . . — — Map (db m243689) HM
Captain Harold Stanley Dexter was a highly respected shipwreck and salvage captain. He had sailed to KeyWest from his home in Massachusetts with a white six-toed cat named Snowball. They were both well-regarded on the docks of Key West.
Dexter . . . — — Map (db m246978) HM
Born in Key West, a Conch, "Bra" Saunders began his career as a commercial fisherman. As the demand for sport-fishing guides increased, he became a charter boat fisherman. In the 1930's he was fishing guide for Ernest Hemingway, taking him and his . . . — — Map (db m223742) HM
This is purported to be the second oldest house in Key West. Originally built as a two-room dwelling in 1834 by English merchant captain George Carey, who made his fortune in the wholesale liquor business, the home was enlarged in 1844 as a gift . . . — — Map (db m222466) HM
Captain John Geiger arrived in Key West as a pilot for Commodore Porter's West Indies Squadron. Porter established the first naval base here in 1823. Captain Geiger remained in Key West after the navy moved to Pensacola. He was the first licensed . . . — — Map (db m222888) HM
Built by Captain Hellings, the manager of the International Ocean Telegraph Co. He married the daughter of William Curry, Florida's first millionaire. The Key West Woman's Club Purchased the home in 1940 and operated one half of the house as the . . . — — Map (db m224206) HM
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