"Key West" a Key West Travel Page by hayward68

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This trip was on offshoot of my trip to Fort Lauderdale. One night spent down in Key West with a couple of quick stops along the way. I'd always wanted to see Key West and this was my chance to do so. Really should have gone for more than one night as it's a long drive down, but that's all I could manage at the time. But well worth the trip, if just for the Key Lime Pie!!
Key West was originally named Cayo Hueso by the explorers who discovered the remains of Indians on the island. Cayo Hueso means “island of bones.” The English later changed it to Key West sometime in the 18th century.
Back in the 1800's the keys attracted a different type of tourist, mainly pirates. However, in the 1820's the piracy stopped when Commodore David Porter of the U.S. Navy commanded the West Indies anti-piracy squadron.
But after the pirates a different sort of industry started - wrecking. Wreckers were men who would rescue or salvage ships that had foundered in the rough seas. For their work they received a percentage of the salvaged cargo.
Other industries that developed included fishing and sponging. And, for a while, salt was also an export.
In the 1820's Key West became known for cigar making. And it also became a haven for thousands of Cubans fleeing from Spanish tyranny, Cuba is only 90 miles south.
Eventually tourism became Key West’s top industry. It’s eclectic culture attracted the rich and famous and such talented authors as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and Robert Frost.
Today thousands of people flock to Key West to watch the famous sunsets (we missed it!), sample the Key Lime Pie (I want more!), explore the waters, both above and below, and partake in the festive atmosphere that is Key West.