Monroe: History, Nature and Special Places in the Florida Keys

More than 400 workers lived on Pigeon Key from 1908 to 1912 while the Overseas Railway was being built to Key West. The island was a railroad village; its history takes you back to the construction of the line. In 1993, the Pigeon Key Foundation took over the care of Pigeon Key and began restoration work with the goal of turning the island into a museum. Those interested in historical developments can consider this chapter alongside the construction and museum stories of the Florida Keys.

Nature and Activities in the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys ecosystem includes one of the largest seagrass beds in the world. It provides feeding grounds for turtles and manatees. In the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, thousands of mangrove islands offer opportunities for paddling; tides and weather affect conditions.

The varied landscape is also apparent on land and along the beaches. Bahia Honda State Park is known for its palm-lined sandy beaches and clear water. There are opportunities for snorkeling and kayaking there. At the beach in Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and fishing are possible. For those who want to take in the plant life on a walk, Long Key State Park has the Golden Orb Trail: the 1.1-mile walking trail passes through several plant communities.

San Pedro State Park offers a different blend of nature and history. It is an underwater park with a shipwreck from 1733 and replica cannons, which snorkelers and divers can explore. Different themes sit side by side in the region: coastal landscapes and water-based activities, as well as a historic site underwater.

Construction History and Culture

Unique Conch-style architecture shapes the cityscape in Key West’s historic districts. The lighthouse also tells a story of a long construction history: it was completed in 1848 and raised by 20 feet in 1894. The two examples highlight different things—one represents an architectural tradition, while the other illustrates changes to a single structure.

Fort East Martello Museum opened in 1950 as the first museum in the Florida Keys. Its collections include works by Cuban folk artist Mario Sanchez and Robert the Doll; collection holdings may change. Another historic house story leads to the Hemingway Home, built in 1851 in the Spanish Colonial style. Nearly 60 polydactyl cats, each with six toes, live at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. The house’s construction date and style place it in its historical context, while the cats offer a very different, present-day connection to the place.

Planning Your Trip

The Guy Bradley Visitor Center in Flamingo offers information from park rangers, educational exhibits, informational brochures, a gift shop, and backcountry permits. Visitor services may change seasonally, so check current operating conditions before your trip. This point of reference can be distinguished from experiences shaped primarily by the landscape, architecture, or history.

For recreation planning across the county, Monroe County manages 22 park and beach properties covering a total of more than 100 acres throughout the island chain. The county also has eight public boat ramps in the Florida Keys. Since these figures may change, it is advisable to check the county’s current information before making specific plans.

The event calendar may also play a role in choosing when to travel: Marathon is known for its annual seafood festivals. Dates for individual events may change, so check the dates if a festival is important to your plans. Whether you’re drawn to a historic site, a walking trail, a waterfront landscape, or an event, these topics offer different perspectives on Monroe and the Florida Keys.

Discover more destinations: Tavernier, Duck Key, Little Torch Key, Key Largo, Sugarloaf Key, Stock Island, Layton, Key Colony Beach, Marathon, Key West, Islamorada, Marathon Shores, Big Pine Key, Cudjoe Key, Summerland Key.

For the main travel overview: Florida.