Key West Key West is many people's paradise. It has dazzling waters, beautiful beaches, anda wonderful climate. This tiny island is located off the southernmost part of Florida is theonly true tropical island in the United States. Thousands of people from all over the worldcome to Key West every year for the relaxing lifestyle and rich culture. As well as beingrich in culture it is rich in history too. Key West has also been the home to many greatauthors and artists and is known for having a very diverse population. Initially, Key West was a home for Spanish explorers and pirates until the firstsettlement was established in 1822. In 1822 the U.S. Navy sent Commodore David Porterto the island. He was sent to take over the island and to eventually stop piracy. He didsucceed and in 1825, Congress put forth a law that required that all ship wrecks wheresalvaged goods were taken must be brought to a U.S. port for arbitration. That U.S. portturned out to be Key West. It then became the wealthiest city in the U.S. (Murphy 3).Industry arrived in Key West by 1831. Industries such as, cigar-making,ship-fitting, salt manufacturing, and turtling employed many people. Soon after that thelocal residents discovered that their sea sponges were highly valued in the North and thatspun another booming industry for the people of Key West (3). By 1850, this tiny islandwas populated and had schools, hospitals, and churches and was thriving on its success(4).Key West soon played a part in the Civil War and became known as the cigarcapitol of the world. During the Civil War the Confederacy set up two forts that wouldserve as headquarters for naval blockade, Jefferson and Taylor. Key West was the onlyUnion-held city south of the Masion-Dixon Line and as many as 299 ships would beanchored at Key West at one time. Then after the war, the industries success decreased,but the imm...
