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Key West — travel, stays & events guide
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Key West city overview
Key West is a city in USA shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forKey West, Florida Keys, Key West planning base 3, Key West planning base 4
RegionUSAUSA
Time zoneAmerica/New_Yorklocal time
Founded1806historical origin
City history
The Bahamians apparently set up camps in the Keys that were occupied for months at a time, and there were rumors of permanent settlements in the Keys by 1806 or 1807, but the locations.
In 1823, Commodore David Porter of the United States Navy West Indies Anti-Pirate Squadron took charge of Key West, which he ruled as military dictator under martial law.
William Whitehead became chief editorial writer for the Enquirer, a local newspaper, in 1834.
Fort Zachary Taylor, constructed from 1845 to 1866, was an important Key West outpost during the Civil War.
Construction began in 1861 on two other forts, East and West Martello Towers, which served as side armories and batteries for the larger fort.
The year 1864 became a landmark for the church in South Florida when five Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary arrived from Montreal, Canada, and established the first Catholic school in.
The Great Fire of Key West, on April 1, 1886, started at a coffee shop next to the San Carlos Institute and spread out of control, destroyed 18 cigar factories and 614 houses and.
In 1926, Pan American Airlines was founded in Key West, initially to transport passengers to Havana, Cuba.
In 1935, the Labor Day Hurricane destroyed much of the Overseas Railway and caused substantial loss of life, including approximately 400 World War I veterans who had been working on federal infrastructure projects in.
Completed in 1938, this road was constructed atop sections of the former railway and became part of U.S.
At various times before the 19th century, people who were related or subject to the Calusa and the Tequesta inhabited Key West.
After claiming the Florida Keys for the United States, Perry renamed Cayo Hueso (Key West) to Thompson's Island for Secretary of the Navy Smith Thompson, and the harbor Port Rodgers in honor of War.
When completed, they were connected to Fort Taylor by railroad tracks for movement of munitions.
The Florida East Coast Railway was unable to fund repairs, and the U.S. government later rebuilt the route as an automobile highway.
Worth seeing
Key West
Key West is a practical Key West planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Florida Keys
Florida Keys is a practical Key West planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Key West planning base 3
Key West planning base 3 is a practical Key West planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Key West planning base 4
Key West planning base 4 is a practical Key West planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Key West planning base 5
Key West planning base 5 is a practical Key West planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Key West planning base 6
Key West planning base 6 is a practical Key West planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Key West before booking Key West hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Key West by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Key West, USAFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Key West airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Key West day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Key West events in the shared event index yet.