Chapter 4 - "Megaisland"

 


The population of Key West, Florida is approximately 23,935.
The population of Key West was 24,853 in 1990 and 25,478 in 2000.
The population growth percent was 2.5% from 1990-2000 and -6.1% from 2000-2005. 

The city of Key West is the county seat of Monroe County. The county consists of a section on the mainland which is almost entirely in Everglades National Park, and the Keys islands from Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas.

Old Town and New Town

Old Town
The original Key West neighborhood in the west (although perceived as south) is called “Old Town” and comprises the Key West Historic District. It includes the major tourist destinations of the island including Mallory Square, Duval Street, the Truman Annex and Fort Zachary Taylor. It is where you find the classic Key West bungalows and guest mansions.
Generally, the wooden structures date from 1886 to 1912. The basic features that distinguish the local architecture include wood frame construction of one to two-and-a-half story structures set on foundation piers about three feet above the ground. Noteworthy exterior characteristics of the buildings are peaked “metal” roofs, horizontal wood siding, gingerbread trim, pastel shades of paint, side-hinged louvered shutters, covered porches (or balconies, galleries, or verandas) along the fronts of the structures, and wood lattice screens covering the area elevated by the piers.

New Town
The island has more than doubled in size via man made landfill. The new section on the east (perceived as north) is called “New Town.” It contains modern shopping centers, retail malls, residential areas, schools, ball parksand the Key West International Airport.
 

  Port Of Key West


Port Information
Port Code:5202
Location Address:301 Simonton Street
Room 105
Key West, FL 33040


Most ships will dock at Mallory Square or the Truman Annex. Both are within easy walking distance of Old Town. Duval Street is only 2 blocks from the pier. Some ships, however, dock at the closed US Naval Base on the outskirts of town. If your ship docks there, trolleys will shuttle you off the base and into Old Town. Metered taxis are available in town, but unless you are traveling to the beach, most things are within walking distance in this compact town.

 

Overseas Railway

The Keys were long accessible only by water. This changed with the completion of Henry Flagler's Overseas Railway in the early 1910s. Flagler, a major developer of Florida's Atlantic coast, extended his Florida East Coast Railway down to Key West with an ambitious series of over-sea railroad trestles. Three hurricanes disrupted the project in 1906, 1909, and 1910.




Bicycle Town
Electric bike on an Electric
Key West is a small island and a bicycle is all you need to get around. Even the public busses and some of the taxis have bike carriers for when you get tired of pedaling or to impaired to ride. The City Busses only cost two dollars (multi trip passes available) and will carry your bike on a rack on the front, 305-292-8160 or 305-293-6426. The Five Sixes Cab Co. has bike racks on most of their cabs. 305-296-6666 and they now have a fleet of Hybrid SUV cabs.

Source: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Florida/Key_West-763140/Transportation-Key_West-Transportation_Options-BR-1.html

The Conch Tour Train and the Trolley Tour both provide an excellent narrated overview of the city.



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