History of Key West - The Conch Republic:

The Conch Republic was established by secession of the Florida Keys from the United States of America, on April 23rd, 1982 in response to a United States Border Patrol Blockade setup on highway U.S.1 at Florida City just to the north of the Florida Keys. This heinous act effectively isolated Keys Citizens from the U.S. mainland since the blockade was on our only land artery to and from the mainland. This roadblock portrayed Keys residents as non-U.S. citizens who had to prove their citizenship in order to drive onto the Florida mainland! Hardly an American thing to do!

We protested! A totally American thing to do! Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow along with a few other 'key' Conchs, went to Federal court in Miami to seek an injunction to stop the federal blockade, but to no avail. Upon leaving the Federal Court House, on the court house steps, Mayor Wardlow announced to the world, by way of the assembled TV crews and reporters, that; "Tomorrow at noon the Florida Keys will secede from the Union!"

At noon, on the day of secession, at Mallory Square in Key West Florida, Mayor Wardlow read the proclamation of secession and proclaimed aloud that the Conch Republic was an independent nation separate from the U.S. and then symbolically began the Conch Republic's Civil Rebellion by breaking a loaf of stale Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform. After one minute of rebellion, the now, Prime Minister Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the Navy Base at Key West, and surrendered to the Union Forces, and demanded 1 Billion dollars in foreign aid and War Relief to rebuild our nation after the long Federal siege!

Thus began our Conch Republic journey which still continues today! We are both Conchs and we are Americans and we are proud to be both. By act of Congress we hold dual citizenship as Conchs and as Americans and will fight for the right to be both!

Contrary to recent reports, the name "Conch Republic" refers to "all" of the Florida Keys, or, that geographic apportionment of land that falls within the legally defined boundaries of Monroe County Florida, northward to "Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon" in Florida City, Dade County Florida, with Key West as the Nation's Capitol and all territories north of Key West being referred to as "The Northern Territories". Be it known that these boundaries were established by the U.S. Government when they set up "THE" Border Patrol blockade in front of "Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon", in April of 1982, thereby establishing a new United States border!

To enforce the validity of our secession, the Monroe County Commission, in 1994, by unanimous vote, did pass a County Resolution recognizing Mayor Wardlow's actions, on the 23rd of April in 1982, as by, of and for the people of the Florida Keys...

Source/Info: http://www.conchrepublic.com/the_beginning.htm

~Key West, South Atlantic, Florida~

Key West: ~ History ~ Attractions ~ Maps/Guides ~ Heron House

~ Fort Zachary Taylor ~

The United States exploited the strategic defensive location of the Florida Keys soon after Florida was ceded to the Union. In 1823 the West Indian Anti-Piracy Squadron was established at Key West in an effort to rid the neighboring waters of pirates. The construction of Fort Zachary Taylor at the tip of Key West, from 1844-1860, and Fort Jefferson, its companion fort farther west in the Dry Tortugas, strengthened the strategic importance of the Florida Keys. The trapezoidal shaped fort was constructed about 1000 feet offshore. Years of silt build-up in the harbor, however, have made the fort landlocked. Several years after the fort was constructed, "Dr. Normandy's Patent Marine Aerated Fresh Water Apparatus," a French desalting plan, was installed to provide fresh water. Excavations have uncovered this fascinating machinery as well as cannons and projectiles. During the Civil War, Key West was the center of naval operations and the base for the blockade of the South. At one time, 299 captured Confederate ships were held in the Key West Harbor under the guns of the fort. Toward the end of the Spanish-American War, the massive walls of the fort were reduced to a single story.

Fort Zachary Taylor, a National Historic Landmark, is at the southwest end of Key West off Southard Street. Open daily 8:00 a.m. - dusk. Information: (305) 292-6713.

~ Key West Historic District ~

Located 150 miles from Miami at the western terminus of the Florida Keys, Key West has been a thriving community for more than 170 years. The first settlers, who came from South Carolina and St. Augustine, arrived in 1821 with the transfer of Florida from Spain to the United States. In the mid-19th century prosperity in Key West was based on the thriving maritime salvage business. The construction in the 1840s of Forts Zachary Taylor and Jefferson and the U.S. Naval Station helped boost the economy, and strengthened the strategic importance of Key West. It was the only Southern port held by Union forces throughout the Civil War and during the Spanish-American War, was one of the United States' most significant naval bases. The city has also an important cigar-making center, boosted by the large number of Cuban refugees on the island. The arrival of Henry Flagler's railroad in 1912 promoted the development of the Keys, and the easy access to mainland Florida was a catalyst for the early development of the tourism industry. Key West continued to be of importance as a strategic naval base through the 1960s and today is a busy resort city. The Key West Historic District includes residential and commercial buildings from the 18th through the 20th century. Located in the district are many examples of a distinctive vernacular residential style particular to the Florida Keys--the Bahama style house. These are wood-frame, one- to two-story residences constructed to withstand high winds. The houses have extensive wrap around porches and were often embellished with cut or turned woodwork. An excellent example of this style is the John Bartlum/ Bahama House on Eaton Street.

~Key West, South Atlantic, Florida~

Key West: ~ History ~ Attractions ~ Maps/Guides ~ Heron House

The Key West Historic District is bounded by White, Angela, Windsor, Passover, Thomas, and Whitehead Streets, and the Gulf of Mexico. Key West is at the tip of the Florida Keys off US 1. Self-guided tours of Key West are available from the Key West Chamber of Commerce: 402 Wall Street, Key West, FL, 33040. (305) 294-2587.

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