September 8, 2006
Quaint And Colorful Key West: A City Rich In History And Seafood
As one of Florida’s most colorful historic waterfront seafood communities, Key West works its magic on all visitors with a bit of wild west atmosphere, a touch of Fantasy Island glamour and a lot of that “run away to join the circus” attitude. The journey into the Conch Republic begins at Key Largo with a spectacular drive on the Overseas Highway and ends in the southernmost city in the continental United States.
Key West, originally named Cayo Hueso, or “Island of Bones,” by the Spanish in the 1500s, has a rich and robust past with an economy consisting entirely of fishing and salvage. The earliest non-Indian inhabitants of Key West, besides mosquitoes and pirates, were seamen from New England and the Bahamas. The island-born Key Westers call themselves “Conchs” and can claim a unique heritage from these Bahamian, Cuban, and New England seafarers. Hard-working and independent-minded, these fishermen set the standard for Conchs past and present. Proud of what they do and what they have accomplished, many of these local families have been in Key West for more than seven generations -- some even claiming to having never left the island.
Fishing was one of Key West’s first principal industries. In 1831, the fishing industry in Key West was estimated to exceed $100,000 in economic value. Fishermen from St. Augustine fished the area early in the 1800s and sold their catch to Havana markets. Many of these fishermen became the pioneering residents of Key West and carried on their trade with Cuba for years.
In 1852, the sponge trade in Florida was founded in Key West and became one of its first important fisheries. Nearly all of these sponges were harvested from shallow waters using poles with a hook on the end. The sponge fishery flourished and by 1890 Key West was the commercial sponging capital of the world. The industry began to decline when sponges were over-harvested. Eventually a deadly fungus destroyed all the sponge beds in the Florida Keys. Gradually, the sponge beds returned and in 2005 the Key West sponge industry landed over 329,000 pounds.
During the sponge fishery’s decline, Key West fisherman had to turn to other plentiful fish like grouper and spiny lobster for income. With ships brought from as far away as New England, Key West fishermen enjoyed a long and profitable grouper trade with Cuba before the Cubans were able to establish their own fishery.
In 1950, the Key West shrimping grounds were discovered when a decline in shrimp production in North Florida waters spurred exploration for new fishing grounds. The Florida Key West pink shrimp, known as “pink gold,” was plentiful and Key West became the chief shrimp port of Florida. Prior to the Key West discoveries, Apalachicola was the main shrimp producing center on the Florida Gulf Coast.
Throughout its history of boom time and bust, Key West has survived two major fires, numerous hurricanes, near financial collapse and outright neglect. Despite these challenges, the city and its fishing industry have endured and thrived. Today grouper and spiny lobster continue to be mainstays of the fishing industry along with Key West pink shrimp that makes up almost 100 percent of the total Monroe County shrimp landings.
Over the years, Key West has been a favorite destination for the rich, the famous and the infamous that were attracted by the outstanding year-round weather, clear ocean waters, rich fishing grounds, and a laid-back island lifestyle. More Pulitzer Prize winners have lived in Key West than any other city. Today island lore crosses into popular culture regularly in novels, movies and television programs that introduce Key West and its history to a wide audience around the world.
The list of famous have included authors Ernest Hemingway (and his famous six-toed cats), Tennessee Williams, and Truman Capote, naturalist/artist James J. Audubon, and singer/songwriter, Jimmy Buffet. Hemingway’s house is open to visitors year round. President Franklin Roosevelt was a frequent visitor, and President Harry Truman even chose Key West to be his “Little White House” retreat.
Key West was once a haven for pirates and buccaneers like Blackbeard, Calico Jack and Black Bart who preyed on the trading ships using the essential Caribbean trade route in the Straits of Florida. Key West celebrates its swashbuckling past every November with the Pirate in Paradise Festival featuring delicious Florida seafood offerings, nautical schooner excursions, pirate attacks, Fort Zachary Taylor living history encampments, a Village Thief’s Market and Pirate Fest with colorful entertainment.
Even with its roots planted firmly in the past, Key West has always been ready to celebrate the present. The sunset ritual in Mallory Square salutes the end of another day in paradise with colorful fanfare and lively entertainers. Afterward, visitors enjoy the quaint shops and restaurants on streets lined with historic Victorian-style homes and cottages. The island atmosphere is always easygoing and casual so it is no wonder many visitors are tempted to stay longer and return sooner. Some just never leave.
For a Florida seafood feast, Key West has a long list of restaurants ranging from dockside raw bars to upscale white-tablecloth eateries. These all feature the freshest Florida seafood from the local pristine waters. Here are a few of the favorites:
On the drive down:
The Fish House Restaurant and Seafood Market
102401 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, Florida 33037
(305) 451-4665
www.fishhouse.com
Entrees featuring fresh local seafood by Chef Samuel Quezada are a specialty. Try his signature recipe, Fish Matecumbe, which was featured on Food Nation Network’s Bobby Flay Show.
Keys Fisheries Market and Marina
35th Street
Marathon, Florida 33050
(305) 743-4353
www.keysfisheries.com
This local favorite is known for its signature Lobster Reuben and other fresh Florida seafood selections.
Cheeca Lodge
81801 Overseas Highway
Mile Marker 82
Islamorada, Florida 33036
(305) 664-4651
The Atlantic’s Edge Restaurant is world-renowned for its fresh, market-inspired cuisine with a unique Florida Keys flair. Chef Andy Niedenthal features a selection of fresh seafood, fine steaks and innovative appetizers served with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
In Key West:
Just a small sampling of wonderful Key West restaurants serving fresh Florida seafood:
Mangoes
700 Duval Street
Key West, Florida
(305) 292-4606
Located in the heart of old-town Key West, Mangoes is known for “Floribbean” cuisine that blends Caribbean influences, local seafood and a touch of the Mediterranean. Indoor and Duval-side dining with the only brick oven pizza in town.
Antonia’s
615 Duval Street
Key West, Florida
(305) 294-6565
www.antoniaskeywest.com
Everything at Antonia's Key West restaurant is homemade and prepared to order by European-trained chefs.
Seven Fish
632 Olivia Street
Key West, Florida
(305) 296-2777
www.7fish.com
This local favorite serves a full menu every night and features three local Key West fish daily. Try Chef Mario Reyes’ signature dish, Snapper Curry, a sautéed snapper filet with garlic and ginger served over rice with a light Thai curry cream sauce.
La Trattoria
525 Duval Street
Key West, Florida 33040
(305) 294-6565
With its European style, La Trattoria Italian Restaurant is one of Key West's most treasured eateries at the center of the town's popular attraction, Duval Street.
For more information on Key West, visit www.FL-Seafood.com/key_west.htm.
For more information:
Barbera Turnbull
(850) 488-0163
turnbub@doacs.state.fl.us
