Martello Towers--those squat, circular buildings on lonely stretches of coastline--have been part of the seaside scene for over 150 years. This book describes how and why they were built, their history, and what they are used for today.

Simonton, Duval, Eaton, Whitehead, Southard, Truman—if you discover how these Key West streets, and all the others, came by their names, you will know much of the history of this little island at the nethermost end of the continental United States. You will learn of the rise and fall and rise again of the fortunes of this island town, which has played such a rich role in the history of the country as a whole. The author starts each section with an engaging history of the person for whom the street is named. Then he takes us along the street, pointing out the buildings and sites of historic interest along the way. This method builds and reinforces our grasp of Key West's history as the island is crisscrossed with sites that evoke nearly every aspect of its past. What emerges is a unique and quirky history of Key West, as well as a fascinating guide to wandering its streets, boulevards, alleys, and lanes.

Key West is a unique travel destination whose history is so rich, it can be confusing for first-time visitors. Tourists walk through a mix of nineteenth-, twentieth-, and twenty-first‒century historic homes and attractions in a blur of fascinating impressions. They get no clear picture of the evolution of the city from its beginnings to the present and no sense of how all of the sites fit into history nor of the significance of Key West in American social, military, and intellectual history. Key West in History changes all of that. More than a typical, site-by-site guidebook, this book presents over 50 Key West sites in historical context—an invaluable resource for the visitor or student who wants a deeper understanding of how the city represents different eras of American and Floridian history, and how specific sites reflect important periods and trends in the past. Each chapter describes the events of a period of Key West history, and is accompanied by photographs of selected sites that represent that period. Next in series > > See all of the books in this series

Key West's free-spirited ambiance and magnificent coral reefs help to create a unique and historic legacy and much more than a vacation destination. For centuries, explorers and adventurers, immigrants and entrepreneurs, artists and wanderers have come to the island oasis known as Key West. And today, this Florida city is like no other and home to them all. Through hurricanes, fires, labor strikes, and the tourism boom, the community of Key West has sustained a unique way of life and attracted a wide variety of people to its shores, including such famous figures as writers Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, President Harry Truman, and musician Jimmy Buffett. Whether strolling through the downtown historic district, searching eclectic shops for one-of-a-kind treasures, enjoying a piece of key lime pie, or participating in the look-alike contest during Hemingway Days, Key West offers endless opportunities for pleasure. The landmarks, the people, and the continuing story of Key West are the entertaining subject of this new photographic tribute.