A sketch of the pirate fighting ship, the U.S. Schooner Alligator. The original purpose of the ship was to sail to Africa to find a colony for freed slaves. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Wilkinson/Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys)

NOTES ON KEYS HISTORY with Brad Bertelli

Just about everybody loves a good pirate tale. Fortunately, the Florida Keys have a few to offer. Make no mistake: these islands are not ripe with authenticated pirate stories. However, a few documented accounts of piratical activities have been recorded in and around the archipelago. In fact, one such incident involved the namesake of one of Islamorada's more familiar landmarks.

Posted - Friday, January 25, 2013 10:57 AM EST

A survey of some of the first family settlements on Key Largo in accordance with the Homestead Act of 1862. (Image courtesy of Jerry Wilkinson/Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys)

NOTES ON KEYS HISTORY with Brad Bertelli

When America was still a burgeoning enterprise, the government was practically giving land away. While only a modicum of cash was required to secure the rights to relatively large swaths of United States soil, there was a price to be paid. Prospective land owners had to earn the land by bartering with good old-fashioned sweat equity.

Posted - Thursday, January 10, 2013 05:33 PM EST

Keynoter Staff

Visitor from California tours EEA Air Museum in Marathon. This World War II-era Beechcraft was used to ferry officers during the war.

Not many people remember the name Juan Terry Trippe.

But, Keys aviation history begins with Trippe, who got the first government contract to fly mail between the U.S. and Cuba.

That Pan Am airmail service began Oct. 18, 1927 when a rented plane dubbed “La Nina” flew the 90 miles from Key West to Havana carrying mail between the two countries.

Posted - Monday, January 21, 2013 09:16 AM EST

623 Grinnell St. was built by a skilled carpenter in 1878.

The Old Island Restoration Foundation has five homes on its Jan. 18-19 tours, ranging from an 1890's classic to an even earlier Bahamian "saw-tooth" cabin that still retains it's "Lilliputian" charm.

These self-guided tours are open from 4-8 p.m. both days. Some tickets are available for purchase in advance aboard the Conch Train, which includes a tour guide to all five residences.

Posted - Friday, January 11, 2013 02:16 PM EST

A sketch of Captain Ben Baker. (Contributed image courtesy of the Upper Keys Historical Trust)

NOTES ON KEYS HISTORY with Brad Bertelli

Jefferson Beale Browne was born in June, 1857 and while he is not generally associated with the Upper Keys, his name does pop up from time to time. For instance, just out of high school Browne accepted the job of assistant light keeper out at Fowey Rocks Lighthouse. The lighthouse marks the northern end of the reef line and stands between Elliot Key and Key Biscayne.

Posted - Friday, December 14, 2012 12:07 PM EST

Special to The Reporter

An article about Capt. Ben Baker's early pinneapple plantation on Key Largo appeared in Harper's magazine in 1871 accompanied by this pen and ink sketch.

NOTES ON KEYS HISTORY by Brad Bertelli

Part two of two

So yes, by 1862, Captain Ben Baker was on his way to becoming King of the Florida Wreckers. He was also one of the first to farm pineapples on that largest of Florida's keys, Key Largo; Baker's land was around Mile Marker 97 and stretched to the Atlantic shore.

Posted - Friday, December 28, 2012 10:08 AM EST

Snorkeling into History

The local charter trade refers to Molasses Reef as the aquarium. The mix of sponges, corals, and limestone substrate create a massive, brilliantly designed underwater complex. A spur-and-groove reef formation, it is festooned with intricately designed hard corals, sponges shaped like barrels and vases, and supple soft corals — brilliant purple sea fans and delicate sea whips. The nooks and crannies attract tropical fish like wildflowers draw honeybees.

Posted - Monday, July 11, 2011 11:00 AM EDT

Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bu

The late Wilhelmina Harvey, left, the first woman mayor of Monroe County, presents Queen Elizabeth II, center, with a conch shell after the British monarch and Prince Philip, right, visited Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park, May 18, 1991. Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

CELEBRATING OUR PAST

As Queen Elizabeth II wraps up her Diamond Jubilee celebration, I am reminded of her 1991 visit to Fort Jefferson, a 19th century fort in the Florida Keys that is part of the Dry Tortguas National Park about 70 miles west of Key West. Our office was involved in some of the trip's logistics including securing the opportunity for Wilhelmina Harvey, the late mayor of the Florida Keys and "Queen" of the Conch Republic, to welcome Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and her entourage. I managed to wrangle a spot in the press pool to provide images to the Associated Press, United Press International and other media outlets. After the queen and her party stepped ashore, Mayor Harvey gave her a Honorary Conch Certificate and a conch shell, the symbol of the Florida Keys. During the presentation, I was a bit irritated because Queen Elizabeth had her back to the camera. I so much wanted to get her to turn around, but the British consulate press person had briefed us earlier and said that under no circumstances should we shout or instruct the queen what to do.

Posted - Wednesday, June 06, 2012 07:01 AM EDT

The Knight’s Key dock could service two ocean-going steamships and two fully completed passenger trains. It opened for rail and sea traffic in February 1908. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Wilkinson)

The Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys’ April 11 history program will be a high resolution overhead slide show titled “The Key West Extension Scare of 1907.” The program will be mostly newspaper clippings of Florida East Coast railroad construction being stopped south of Marathon in mid-1907 and almost all at Key West

Posted - Friday, April 08, 2011 11:00 AM EDT

A satellite view shows the Carysfort Reef Light, just right of center, surrounded by an abundance of coral on a broad reef tract.

Snorkeling Into History: Carysfort Reef

OFF KEY LARGO — While thousands of reefs grow in the turquoise waters encompassing the Florida Keys, Carysfort Reef is the single most dangerous tract of coral in the chain.

Posted - Friday, April 06, 2012 12:00 AM EDT