Brad Bertelli

Brad Bertelli is a respected historian, author, speaker, and Honorary Conch based in the Florida Keys. Since arriving on Plantation Key in 2001, he has dedicated over 20 years to researching and interpreting the history of the island chain. Brad has published 10 books, including his acclaimed series Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli (Volumes 1, 2, and 3), with Volume 4, The Great Florida Keys Road Trip, forthcoming. For regular updates on local history, you are invited to join the Facebook group “Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli.” To learn more, please visit: www.bradbertelli.com.

ONE OF FLORIDA KEYS’ MOST FAMED ATTRACTIONS TURNS 50

Fifty years ago, as America celebrated its bicentennial, Robert Reckwerdt leased a Lower Matecumbe Key marina from Ruth and Buck Starck. The Starcks had...

MERRY & BRIGHT: LIKE FOOT AND MUSIC, HOLIDAY LIGHTS HAVE ALSO CHANGED THROUGH TIME

Displays of colorful lights are a lovely holiday tradition. Come November, up and down the island chain, they glow and twinkle once the sun...

KEYS HISTORY: FILLING PAGES & FULFILLING MEMORIES

I was sitting at my desk signing books, filling orders placed by Shell World, the Kayak Shack at Robbie’s, the Oldest House Museum and...

KEYS HISTORY: RAGGED, SANDS & BOCA CHITA KEY

My biggest day-to-day challenge is sleep. It used to come easily, and I could sleep for hours at a time.  Circa 2012, the long nights...

KEYS HISTORY: THE TIP OF THE ISLAND

Roughly 1,700 islands that make up the Florida Keys archipelago. Key Biscayne is not one of them.  However, historically, it is a significant piece of...

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