Check out our newest, oldest collection of Keys images. The Scott De Wolfe collection contains some of the oldest images of Key West that we’ve seen around. We just finished scanning, tagging and captioning this amazing collection and are eager to share it. Here’s more info:
The Pirates Well a photo by Florida Keys–Public Libraries on Flickr.
Scott De Wolfe is the co-owner of De Wolfe & Wood Rare Books in Alfred, Maine. He made his first visit to Key West in 1996 and quickly became interested in the history of the …

One of Key West’s oldest  documents is finally getting a bath.  The Florida Keys History Room of the Monroe County Public Library has sent an 1829 “First of Exchange” to the Northeast Document Conservation Center (“NEDCC”) in Andover, Mass. for repair, treatment and preservation.  Known locally as the “Fleeming Check”, the document was an early form of financial exchange similar to our current day bank check.  Its front and back bear the signatures of three of Key West’s four founding fathers:  John William Charles Fleeming (aka Fleming), John Simonton and John …

We are proud beyond words to announce that our online archive of historic images of the Florida Keys recently passed the million-hit mark — meaning the images have been viewed more than 1 million times. That’s quite something for a little library system at the end of the road.
The site can be accessed from this website — just click on any of the images under “Our Pix” at right — or by going directly to Flickr and searching for our photostream under “Florida Keys–Public Libraries.”
The online archive has been the work of …

I would to thank all my friends who came to the Ingham to mark my 25 years as Monroe County Historian and our work to preserve history for future generations.  I could not do this alone and everyone there had done their part over the years to help and support this effort.  We must continue our effort to preserve the Florida Keys and its very special history. A special thanks  to Bruce and Patricia Neff and the Historic Marker crew, Bill Verge of the USCG Ingham, Mayor and Mrs. Cates, …

Scott De Wolfe Collection, a set on Flickr.

Check out our newest, oldest collection of Keys images. The Scott De Wolfe collection contains some of the oldest images of Key West that we’ve seen around. We just finished scanning, tagging and captioning this amazing collection and are eager to share it. Here’s more info:

Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 to remember the men that lost their lives in the Civil War. As the only southern city to remain in the Union during the Civil War, a large number of U.S. Navy, Marine Corp, and Army men died in Key West, mostly from tropical fevers. The Army men were buried in the Barracks Cemetery that was on White Street across from the Armory. The graves were moved in 1927 to the U.S. National Cemetery at Fort Barrancas near Pensacola. The Navy …

We’re celebrating Tom Hambright’s 25th year serving the Keys community! If you don’t know him, Tom is our resident historian. He is gracious, sharp, omniscient, entertaining and very tall.

Here’s a special holiday image from a forthcoming library digital collection.
Don DeMariá has been a professional diver since 1972 and based in the Keys since 1978.

Governor LeRoy Collins at the dedication of the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on December 10, 1960. From the Monroe County Library Collection.
Originally uploaded by Florida Keys–Public Libraries

America’s only undersea park celebrates its 50th year! Here’s a link to all the festivities: http://www.fla-keys.com/pennekamp50/events.cfm
Check out the library’s collection of Upper Keys photos, including the Pennekamp dedication, here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/keyslibraries/sets/72157625375988576/

In the 1950s, demand for new homes was exceeding supply. Developers were looking for areas to build. Old Town Key West was a good location near downtown stores and the well paid jobs on the Naval Base with old homes and buildings that could be removed and new ones built. This effort was being aided by the city commissions that at almost ever meeting were ordering old buildings and homes that were in disrepair to be razed; even the Oldest House on Duval Street was on the list …