Synopses & Reviews
Parrotheads, Hemingway aficionados, and sun worshipers view Key West as a tropical paradise, and scores of writers have set tales of mystery and romance on the island. The city's real story told by Maureen Ogle in this lively and engaging illustrated account-is as fabulous as fiction. In the early 1800s, the city's pioneer founders battled Indians, pirates, and deadly disease and created wealth beyond their imaginations. In the two centuries since, Key West has nurtured tragedy and triumph and has stood at the crossroads of American history.
When Florida joined the Confederacy in 1861, Union troops seized control of strategically located Key West and city residents spent four years living under martial law. In the early 1890s, Key West Cubans helped José Martí launch the revolution that eventually ended Spain's control of their homeland. A few years later, the battleship Maine steamed out of Key West harbor on its last, tragic voyage. At the turn of the century, Henry Flagler astounded the entire country by building a technological marvel, an overseas railroad from mainland Florida to Key West, more than 100 miles long. In the 1920s and 1930s, painters, rumrunners, and writers (including Ernest Hemingway and Robert Frost) discovered Key West. During World War II, the federal government and the military war machine permanently altered the island's landscape. In the second half of the 20th century, bohemians, hippies, gays, and jet-setters began writing a new chapter in Key West's social history.
All of these personalities and events are wrapped in Ogle's unique and candid history of the island, an account that will fascinate past and present citizens of the Conch Republic, history buffs who like a well-told tale, and the millions of tourists from all over the world who love this colorful island city.
Review
"Before you go...pick up a copy of Key West, and you will acquire enough knowledge to make your visit exciting and fun. A must read for those who have already formed their own opinion of Key West, as well as for those who have never visited the captivating Florida Keys." Island Sun
Review
"Ogle captures this island city in all its quirky charm. Her story breezes along in typical Key West fashion-full of gossip and humor, with the jolt of a good cup of Cuban coffee." Lee Irby, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg
Synopsis
“An extremely vivid and captivating history of Key West.”—Florida Today “Ogle’s thorough research combined with her wry perspective make this book a fascinating read.”—Tallahassee Democrat “Anyone who wants to know more about Key West than what appears in the typical guidebook will enjoy this spirited account.”—Chicago Tribune Parrotheads, Hemingway aficionados, and sun worshipers view Key West as a tropical paradise, and scores of writers have set tales of mystery and romance on the island. The city’s real story—told by Maureen Ogle in this lively and engaging illustrated account—is as fabulous as fiction. In the two centuries since the city’s pioneer founders battled Indians, pirates, and deadly disease, Key West has stood at the crossroads of American history. In 1861, Union troops seized control of strategically located Key West. In the early 1890s, Key West Cubans helped José Martí launch the Cuban revolution, and a few years later the battleship Maine steamed out of Key West harbor on its last, tragic voyage. At the turn of the century, a technological marvel—the overseas railroad—was built to connect mainland Florida to Key West, and in the 1920s and 1930s, painters, rumrunners, and writers (including Ernest Hemingway and Robert Frost) discovered Key West. During World War II, the federal government and the military war machine permanently altered the island’s landscape, and in the second half of the 20th century, bohemians, hippies, gays, and jet-setters began writing a new chapter in Key West’s social history.
About the Author
Maureen Ogle is the author of All the Modern Conveniences: American Household Plumbing, 1840-1890. Retired from the University of South Alabama, in Mobile, she currently lives in Ames, Iowa, and is working on a history of beer in America. Her personal definition of paradise is an evening of dining by moonlight on the deck at Louie's Backyard in Key West.