Posted on:
October
10th,
2024
Blog
The island of Key West packs a lot of punch in its relatively small surface area. To keep tabs on Duval Street nightlife, seasonal seafood, event guides, watersport adventures and more, bookmark the 24 North Hotel Blog.
History
Originally named Cayo Hueso by the Spaniards, Key West has seen its share of shipwrecks, bootleggers, eccentric boat captains and famous writers. This is our guide to the unique history of Key West.
15 Notable Key West Residents
Posted on:
November
15th,
2023
|
History
If you’re out and about on the island, keep an eye out - you never know who you may see.
Key West Sea Turtle Release featuring Diana Nyad
Posted on:
September
30th,
2023
|
History
Ten years after her record-breaking swim, we join Diana Nyad once again on the shores of Key West for a celebrity send-off.
10 Books to Add to Your Key West Reading List
Posted on:
March
30th,
2023
|
History
Planning a trip to Key West? Add these books to your list, from historical fiction pieces set in Key West to stories written by resident authors.
Happy 200th Birthday Florida Keys! All the Highlights of the FL Keys Bicentennial
Posted on:
March
15th,
2023
|
History
From Key Largo to Key West, various events are popping up throughout 2023 to celebrate the past two centuries in true fashion. We’re breaking them all down here.
5 Ways Key West is the Most Easy-Going Vacation Destination
Posted on:
April
15th,
2021
|
History
Since travel is all about good vibes, planning a getaway to one of the most chilled-out destinations in the world has never been easier.
Key Weird Series: The Mysterious Disappearance of Key West's Infamous Fire Chief, "Bum" Farto
Posted on:
March
30th,
2021
|
History
Have you seen Bum Farto? Dive into the decades-old cold case of the disappearance of Key West’s infamous fire-chief-turned-fugitive.
What is Key West Best Known For?
Posted on:
November
8th,
2019
|
History
There’s something for everyone in Key West, which is why it attracts people from all over the world. Here are the island’s most notable characteristics.
The Friendly (& Unfriendly) Ghosts of Key West
Posted on:
October
7th,
2019
|
History
Here’s a look at the island’s most interesting ghosts and where to find them.
Key West Profiles: "Sloppy" Joe Russell
Posted on:
March
29th,
2019
|
History
Unrelated to the sloppy joe sandwich, Sloppy Joe was actually a real Key West character.
Key West Profiles: Mario Sanchez, Great American Folk Artist
Posted on:
November
19th,
2018
|
History
Mario Sanchez is considered one of the most significant Cuban American folk artists of the 20th Century. A Key West native, Sanchez worked with wood and paint, mostly creating bas relief carvings that reflect images of earlier times on the island that were never captured in photos. Today, his artworks hang in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., as well as the Gallery on Greene in Key West.
Key Weird: Conch Mayor Water Skis from Key West to Cuba
Posted on:
November
8th,
2018
|
History
In 1978, the island’s then-mayor McCoy was inspired to make the 100+ mile journey because of a challenge from a local reporter and chance conversation with President Jimmy Carter. Thirty years later, famous long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad swam from Cuba to Key West. Here’s another aspect of what makes Key West known as “Key Weird.”
A Look at the Florida Coral Reef
Posted on:
November
6th,
2018
|
History
The coral reef off the coast of the Florida Keys is the third-largest in the world and the only living reef in the continental United States. Each year, thousands of tourists visiting Key West snorkel the reef to swim with tropical fish and check out diverse coral species. Here’s a look at its diverse habitats, ways to visit it, and reef-friendly practices that will ensure its longevity.
Plan a Visit to the Key West Cemetery
Posted on:
October
9th,
2018
|
History
Its mix of quirky epitaphs, odd stories, wild iguanas, and the beloved interred are what you can expect at the Key West Cemetery.
Key West Profiles: Captain Tony
Posted on:
September
28th,
2018
|
History
Former mayor of Key West, bootlegger, fisherman, sailor, gambler, bar owner and father of 13, Capt. Tony was a Key West personality whose spirit has left an impression on the island.
Key West Profiles: Tennessee Williams, Literary Icon
Posted on:
September
25th,
2018
|
History
One of America's greatest playwrights called Key West home for over 30 years.
Key West: Former “Wrecking Capital” of the World
Posted on:
September
24th,
2018
|
History
Shipwrecks off the coast have provided the island with treasures for centuries. Here's a look at the Conch Republic's history as a wrecking town.
Key West: Birthplace of Pan American World Airways
Posted on:
September
21st,
2018
|
History
Pan American World Airways didn’t survive the times, but the quaint little house that sold Pan Am’s first tickets did.
A Brief History of Turtle Canning in Key West
Posted on:
September
20th,
2018
|
History
During your visit to Key West, a visit to the old turtle cannery is a must. But first, read about the history of the turtle meat industry on the island.
Key Weird: Celebrating Sunset and Eyeing the Green Flash
Posted on:
August
22nd,
2018
|
History
Not only does Key West celebrate the sunsets daily at Mallory Square with live music, jugglers and other live acts working the crowd, but the “green flash” of sunset continues to elude onlookers.
Roosters, Iguanas & Pythons - Oh My! 3 Weird Animals in the FL Keys
Posted on:
July
19th,
2018
|
History
These three non-native animals have found the warm climate of the Keys and Southern Florida especially favorable.
Key Weird Series: Capt. Tony’s Saloon
Posted on:
June
25th,
2018
|
History
It’s only customary you stop by Capt. Tony's Saloon while in Key West and enjoy live music and a mixed drink. It’s located right off Duval Street, just steps away from Sloppy Joe’s.
Key Weird Series: The Conch Republic's Big & Small Feats
Posted on:
April
19th,
2018
|
History
In this installment, we’ll look at all the big and small records held by our humble, southernmost island.
Hemingway’s Key West
Posted on:
March
13th,
2018
|
History
The island has changed dramatically since Ernest Hemingway arrived with his wife in 1928, but some of his favorite spots still stand today.
Key Weird Series: Hemingway’s 6-Toed Cats
Posted on:
January
19th,
2018
|
History
As part of our Key Weird Series we’ll delve into all the odd details of what makes Key West so weird.
A Look at Key West’s Colorful Bahama Village
Posted on:
January
3rd,
2018
|
History
If you’re into Florida Conch architecture, good eats and a diverse Caribbean culture, Bahama Village is worth a visit.
Bars with History: Unique Key West Watering Holes
Posted on:
December
11th,
2017
|
History
In honor of the Conch Republic’s colorful, boozy past, we’ve rounded up some of the peculiar bars on the island that all have a story to tell.
Photo courtesy Florida Keys Public Libraries
Key Weird Series: Preserving a Relationship
Posted on:
December
1st,
2017
|
History
A love story or tale of prolonged, demented obsession?
A Brief History of Dry Tortugas Nat'l Park
Posted on:
November
28th,
2017
|
History
Thinking of planning a trip to Dry Tortugas National Park?
The History of the Key West Theater
Posted on:
October
17th,
2017
|
History
Like all things Key West, the island town’s theater has an unique past.
5 Iconic Movies Filmed in the Florida Keys
Posted on:
August
16th,
2017
|
History
Key West’s tropical island characteristics has attracted many crews to film on its bright beaches through the decades.
The Hidden Treasures of The Atocha
Posted on:
June
22nd,
2017
|
History
On September 4, 1622, a fleet of Spanish ships set sail from Havana en route to Spain. They were loaded down with treasure from the New World - gold, silver, emeralds and pearls.
Photo courtesy of Florida Keys Public Library
5 Hemingway Haunts to Visit in Key West
Posted on:
June
16th,
2017
|
History
Ernest Hemingway’s time in Key West has been well-documented over the years - and best re-lived by Conchs during July’s annual Hemingway Days, as well as tourists in their frequent bar hops.
The Haunted History of Key West
Posted on:
October
31st,
2016
|
History
Key West is filled with ghost stories. From lingering lovers to ghastly murders, the island is not without its share of haunted history. While ghost-hunters say these supernatural phenomenon can be seen year-round, we especially like to call forth the Halloween spirit in the month of October.
From the Scott DeWolfe Collection (https://www.flickr.com/photos/keyslibraries/6315815506/) at the Florida Keys Public Library
The Old Key West – Key West's Cuban History
Posted on:
July
20th,
2016
|
History
Key West and 24 North Hotel share much more with Cuba than the same latitude line (24° N) – they have an entire history together. These days, you may be hard-pressed to find more Cuban mementos on Key West than a café con leche, cigars and rum, yet there was a time when Key West was more Cuban than American.
24 Things to Do in Key West – Historical Landmarks in Key West
Posted on:
June
6th,
2016
|
History
Key West has long been the stomping grounds of notable Americans and noteworthy historical sites. Here are our favorite landmarks for the history buffs: