Key West Has The Key To My Heart
Key West is, as the name suggests, the westernmost island of the series of islands stretching back from Florida's southern point backwards into the Gulf of Mexico. Formerly known as Cayo Hueso, or Island of Bones, the island was first officially claimed for the U.S. by Commodore Matthew Perry in 1821. For a lot of years, it was a maritime base of operations against pirates of the Caribbean. Civilian settlement followed, and by the late 19th century, Key West was the most affluent community in Florida. For many years, the only way to access Key West was by boat or train (a railroad was in place by 1912), but since the extension of U.S. Highway 1 in 1938, the community has been readily within reach by car.
Key West is rich in history, particularly when it comes to American literature. Author Steven King makes his home in the Keys for a portion of the year, but he is only the most recent in a line of American literary figures who have been residents in this community, which most notably include late playwright Tennessee Williams and novelist Ernest Hemingway. The house once owned by Hemingway has been named a U.S. National Historic Landmark and it is here that he later said he did some of his best writing. At the La Concha Hotel, Tennessee Williams penned the opening draft of A Streetcar Named Desire, and he made his home in Key West for the last 34 years of his life. Today, a theater on the campus of nearby Florida Keys Community College bears his name.
There are beautiful Florida Keys vacation rentals all through the chain of islands to rent for short or long term. If you haven't ever travelled to the Islamorada Florida Keys, this stretch of the Keys is a great location. Islamorada is comprised of six islands that include Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key and the offshore islands of Indian Key and Lignumvitae Key. This may be the only place on Earth where it is possible to hook a sailfish in the morning, and then float into the backcountry in pursuit of bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook and redfish in just inches of water. There are also plentiful Islamorada vacation rentals available that are charming and tranquil.
Old Town Key West offers a broad range of activities that include water sports such as deep sea fishing, diving and snorkeling as well as a great number of cultural events throughout the year. In fact, within an area four miles long and two miles wide, there are no fewer than 89 art galleries exhibiting a wealth of paintings and sculptures by local residents and include works by Cuban and Haitian artists in exile.
In addition, the Florida Keys are quarters to the areas only nonprofit self-regulating film multiplex, where film buffs can attend screenings of foreign and independent films that are shown in very little other venues. The Tropic Cinema is only one of the must see sights in Key West. In addition to pictures, live theater is flourishing at venues such as the Marathon Community Theater, which presents musicals and other plays that recently included Guys and Dolls, Deathtrap and a full Broadway review.
Nature lovers can discover a great deal about the local flora and fauna at the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens, which features a fine art gallery of its own. You can also experience some of the early history and archeology of the area by going to the Crane Point Museum Nature Center and Historic Site, which is situated on one of the oldest existing home sites on the island.
Key West is an island off the coast of Florida with a lively history and unique current day ambiance. There are numerous Florida Keys vacation rentals available on this wonderful isle.
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