Keys History: Henry Flagler’s island legacy
Henry Flagler and the Key West Extension of his Florida East Coast Railway altered the history of the Florida Keys. Before his train came...
Keys History: The curious case of the Key lemon
When it comes to buying bags of birdseed, peanuts are a common ingredient. Blue jays love them. Squirrels do, too. While I am not...
Key West Back in the Day: The Island of Lost Laundry
Jimmy Buffett dreamed up the Island of Lost Laundry, and it was a perfect example of his extraordinary creativity. He mentioned the mythical island in...
Keys History: Who owned Indian Key?
When Florida became a territory of the United States, any land not subject to a Spanish Land Grant became government property. There were a...
Keys History: Recalling the railways and the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935
It is safe to say that Henry Flagler was tickled when his private railcar, the Flagler Special, rolled into the Key West station at...
Key West Back in the Day: The duck on a stick
One of the best birthday presents I ever bought anybody was a duck on a stick. It wasn't a decision involving long forethought. After all,...
Keys History: The Great Hurricane of 1846
People say the Florida Keys have no seasons. It simply is not true. Seasons here aren’t limited to the traditional ones found in other...
Keys History: Origins of the Tavernier name didn’t necessarily involve a thirsty sailor
There is no shortage of stories told about the Florida Keys. One Upper Keys favorite that has been passed from barstool to barstool for...
Key West Back in the Day: ‘The Last Mango‘ cruise — what could possibly...
Carl Hiaasen is best known as a superb satirical writer, and for years I thought he also made great paella. But apparently, he wasn't...
Keys History: Capone and the cronies’ ties to the Florida Keys
It was the late 1920s when an open-air roadster rambled away from Miami, through Homestead and over the Card Sound Bridge. Two men occupied...
