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.
DRIVING THE KEYS – Upper Keys History
Politician George Allen began advocating for a road to the Keys in 1895. In 1908, residents of Monroe County (and especially Upper Keys farmers)...
POST OFFICES AND TRAGEDY
The first post office in the Florida Keys was established in Key West during the month of February in 1829. The post office was...
History hinges on a hurricane
Sometimes sons listen to their fathers. If Juan Menendez had listened to his father, Florida history might have been written a little differently. As...
How the Constellation did not arrive at Indian Key
How does the dissemination of misinformation confuse history? Here is one example: a few decades ago a local newspaper reporter was visiting Baltimore, Maryland....
Lightships before lighthouses
The Adams-Onis Treaty incorporated the Florida Territory into the growing United States. The rights to the Florida Reef were also part of the treaty...
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Florida Keys News
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Marathon News
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Fishing
DUCK KEY CREW PULLS IN 400-POUND SWORDFISH
For Little Torch Key’s captain Matt Pelphrey, his personal...
Arts & Entertainment Key West
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYWRIGHT LILLIAN ANDREW DIRECTS HER OWN SHOW THIS WEEKEND
It’s 1987 at a diner in Seattle, when the...
Arts & Entertainment Upper Keys
ANNUAL ART UNDER THE OAKS KICKS OFF UPPER KEYS EVENTS SEASON THIS SATURDAY
Arts and crafts creators will showcase their finest works...












