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.
FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY: SPONGE WARS IN THE EARLY 1900s PIT GREEKS AGAINST CONCHS
It was May 22, 1914, when Captain Bell of the schooner Amelia wanted to get out of some high winds and set a course...
FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY: SPONGE OPERATIONS ON SUGARLOAF KEY, PART 2
Dr. J. Vining Harris of Key West began experimenting with the cultivation of sponges at his Sugarloaf Key property in 1897. Circa 1901, Harris...
FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY: SOAKING IN A NEW BUSINESS, PART 1
The Feb. 23, 1913, edition of the Washington Evening Star reported the cultivation of sponges in the warm, shallow waters of Biscayne Bay, the...
FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY: FLAMINGO FLOCK DISAPPEARS
The first use of the word flamingo dates back to the Spanish explorers navigating the waters of the New World in 1565. The name...
FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY: THE CHUNKY MERMAID
Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Even if he was not the first to “discover” the New World, his four trips across...
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