You know that Key West has the beaches, sea breezes, and ambiance. But as your strolling on the beach in Key West have you ever wondered if there is anything else behind all that beauty.
Well maybe that is stretching things a bit much. Strolling on the beach enjoying all that sand and sunshine or moonshine is pretty much an all consuming activity. But if there is time to wonder about the history of Key West there is much to find out.
Some of this history evolves sponges, turtles and cigars. That sounds like a bit of a stretch and these things don’t necessarily have anything in common. But they do have Key West and the ocean and that’s definitely a start.
Actually Key West once supplied at least 90% of the sponges used in America. Key West also became home to many of the Cuban Cigar makers after the Cuban revolution 1868. During the time of pirates large Green Turtles were abundant and easy to catch. These turtles can survive for long periods on board ships so they were particularly handy for the weary sailors to keep around.
Now the on thing that really ties all these things together is at some point or another they all lost their popularity or were taken of the market for environmental reasons, although the cigars have been making a come back in recent years.
But just because these things are not traded any longer doesn’t mean they have not contributed to the rich history of the area, and history is something that Key West has plenty of.
The Key West Shipwreck Historeum® Museum shows visitors how the era of the shipwreckers contributed to the livelihoods of the early pioneers of Key West. Part of the sea is what the Key West Aquarium will show you. It is the oldest attraction in Key West and still delights visitors today.
So the next time you take a stroll on the beach you may still just think about the great views, the surf, and a sea breeze in your hair. But now you’ll at least know a bit of how Key West was shaped by the very sea you are strolling by.
Now whether you’re a tourist, looking to move permanently to the Keys, or just someone who likes the beauty of nature, the great variety of amenities in the homes in our area are just more reason to want to live in beautiful Key West. If you’re interested in real estate in this attractive area contact me, Jimmy Lane, at Key West Real Estate: 305-766-0585.