25 Fun Facts About Key West

Key West isn’t just a destination; it’s a state of mind. Often called the Conch Republic, this tiny island at the end of the Florida Keys packs more history, eccentricity, and pure tropical magic into four miles than most cities ten times its size. Whether you are planning your first trip or you are a seasoned visitor returning for another slice of Key Lime pie, there is always something new—and usually strange—to discover about this southernmost paradise.

Did you know that chickens roam free and are protected by law? Or that the island once declared war on the United States (for about a minute)? From literary giants to underwater wonders, the stories here are as colorful as the sunsets.

In this post, we are diving deep into 25 incredible fun facts about Key West. You will learn about the ghosts that haunt the cemeteries, the cats with too many toes, and the bars that have served thirsty sailors for nearly a century. Let’s explore the quirks that make this island truly one of a kind.

1. It’s Closer to Cuba Than Miami

When people say Key West is “far out,” they mean it geographically. Key West is located approximately 90 miles north of Cuba. In contrast, it is about 160 miles southwest of Miami. This proximity to the Caribbean heavily influences the island’s culture, weather, and history. On a very clear night, old-timers used to claim you could see the glow of Havana’s lights, though that’s mostly a romantic legend today. This unique position makes it the true gateway to the Caribbean.

2. The Conch Republic is a Real (Sort of) Thing

Key West has a rebellious streak. In 1982, the U.S. Border Patrol set up a blockade on Highway 1 to search for drugs and undocumented immigrants. This created massive traffic jams and hurt tourism. Locals felt they were being treated like a foreign country, so they decided to act like one. Mayor Dennis Wardlow declared Key West’s independence as the “Conch Republic” on April 23, 1982. He then declared war on the United States, symbolically broke a loaf of stale Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a naval uniform, surrendered one minute later, and immediately applied for one billion dollars in foreign aid. They never got the money, but the flag still flies high.

3. Ernest Hemingway’s House Has a Six-Toed Legacy

One of the most famous residents of Key West was literary giant Ernest Hemingway. He lived here in the 1930s and wrote several of his most famous works, including To Have and Have Not. But the real stars of his Spanish Colonial home today are the cats. Hemingway was given a white six-toed (polydactyl) cat named Snow White by a ship’s captain. Today, roughly 40 to 50 descendants of Snow White still roam the grounds of the Hemingway Home and Museum. About half of them exhibit the physical trait of extra toes, but they all carry the gene.

4. It Was Once the Richest City in America

It is hard to imagine now, but in the mid-1800s, Key West was the wealthiest city per capita in the United States. The source of this wealth? Shipwrecks. The treacherous reefs surrounding the Florida Keys were a nightmare for passing ships but a goldmine for locals. The “wrecking” industry involved salvaging cargo from ships that ran aground. At the peak of the industry, everyone from captains to warehouse owners was making a fortune saving goods from the sea.

5. The Southernmost Point isn’t Actually the Southernmost Point

The giant, colorful buoy at the end of Whitehead Street is one of the most photographed spots in Florida. It proudly proclaims “90 Miles to Cuba” and “Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A.” However, geography nerds know the truth. The actual southernmost point of the island is located on the Key West Naval Air Station (Truman Annex), which is restricted to the public. Furthermore, a privately owned island nearby, Ballast Key, is technically further south. But don’t let facts ruin a good photo op—the buoy is iconic!

6. Duval Street is the “Longest” Street in the World

Locals love to tell visitors that Duval Street is the longest street in the world because it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. While the street is actually only a little over a mile long, traversing it can feel like an odyssey. It is the beating heart of Key West’s nightlife and shopping district, packed with historic bars, drag shows, t-shirt shops, and art galleries. Walking from “coast to coast” on Duval is a rite of passage for any visitor.

7. Sloppy Joe’s Has a Moving History

The famous bar Sloppy Joe’s wasn’t always where it is today. The original bar, owned by Joe Russell (a fishing buddy of Hemingway), was initially located down the street. It was Hemingway who encouraged Russell to name it “Sloppy Joe’s” after a messy place in Havana selling liquor and iced seafood. The bar moved to its current iconic location at the corner of Duval and Greene Streets in 1937. Legend has it that the rent was raised by one dollar a week at the old location, prompting Russell and his customers—Hemingway included—to pick up their drinks and furniture and march down the street to the new spot in the middle of the night.

8. Chickens Rule the Roost

You cannot walk far in Key West without seeing (or hearing) a rooster. These “gypsy chickens” are everywhere—crossing roads, perched in trees, and wandering through outdoor cafes. They are descendants of chickens used for food and cockfighting (which is now illegal) that were released or escaped over decades. They are protected by local laws, so don’t even think about harassing them. They are as much a part of the local population as the people.

9. Dry Tortugas is a Fortress in the Sea

Seventy miles west of Key West lies one of the most remote National Parks in the US: Dry Tortugas. The park is 99% water, but the 1% of land is dominated by Fort Jefferson. This massive coastal fortress is composed of over 16 million bricks, making it the largest brick masonry structure in the Americas. It was built in the mid-19th century to protect the strategic Gulf shipping lanes but was never fully finished. During the Civil War, it served as a Union prison, most famously housing Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was convicted of conspiring in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

10. The Graveyard is Full of Jokes

The Key West Cemetery is not a somber place; it’s a testament to the island’s sense of humor. Because the island is essentially a coral rock, digging deep graves is impossible. As a result, the tombs are above ground, similar to New Orleans. But it’s the epitaphs that draw the crowds. The most famous belongs to B.P. “Pearl” Roberts, whose stone reads, “I Told You I Was Sick.” It is a hilarious final word that perfectly captures the local attitude.

11. President Truman’s Winter White House

Harry S. Truman loved Key West so much he spent 175 days of his presidency there. He stayed at the naval station in a building now known as the Harry S. Truman Little White House. It wasn’t just a vacation spot; serious government business happened here. The Department of Defense was effectively created during meetings in this house. Today, you can tour the property, which looks much as it did in the late 1940s, right down to the custom poker table.

12. Robert the Doll is Watching You

If you visit the Fort East Martello Museum, you will encounter Key West’s creepiest resident: Robert the Doll. Robert belonged to a local artist named Robert Eugene Otto in the early 1900s. Legend says the doll is possessed and caused mischief throughout Otto’s life. Today, visitors claim that cameras malfunction when trying to photograph him. The rule is you must ask Robert’s permission politely before taking his picture, or face a curse of bad luck. The museum walls are plastered with letters from former skeptics apologizing to the doll for disrespecting him.

13. Mallory Square is a Nightly Ritual

In most places, watching the sunset is a quiet activity. In Key West, it’s a carnival. The Mallory Square Sunset Celebration happens every single night, attracting crowds of tourists and locals. Street performers, including jugglers, tightrope walkers, psychics, and musicians, entertain the masses as the sun dips below the horizon. It’s a tradition that dates back to the 1960s and embodies the communal spirit of the island. If you haven’t seen the Cat Man train domestic house cats to jump through flaming hoops at sunset, you haven’t really seen Key West.

14. There is No Frost Here

Key West is the only city in the continental United States that has never recorded a temperature below freezing. The lowest temperature ever recorded was 41°F in 1886 and 1981. This tropical climate allows for the lush, year-round vegetation that gives the island its jungle-like appearance. While the rest of the country is scraping ice off windshields, Key West residents are likely complaining that it’s a “chilly” 65 degrees.

15. Pan American World Airways Was Born Here

Aviation history was made on this tiny island. Pan American World Airways, which became the principal international air carrier of the United States for much of the 20th century, was founded in Key West in 1927. The first scheduled flight was a mail run to Havana. The original office is now a restaurant and microbrewery (First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery), where you can drink a beer in the exact spot where tickets were once sold for the very first international flights.

16. It Has the Only Living Coral Barrier Reef in the Continental US

Just a few miles offshore lies the Florida Reef, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States and the third-largest barrier reef system in the world (after the Great Barrier Reef and the Belize Barrier Reef). This makes Key West a world-class destination for snorkeling and diving. The ecosystem supports thousands of species of marine life, offering a vibrant underwater world just a short boat ride from the dock.

17. The Highway That Goes to Sea

Getting to Key West is an adventure in itself thanks to the Overseas Highway. This engineering marvel connects the Florida Keys to the mainland via 42 bridges. It was built over the path of the old Florida East Coast Railway, which was destroyed by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. The most famous section, the Seven Mile Bridge, offers breathtaking views where you feel like you are driving directly on top of the ocean.

18. Count von Cosel’s Macabre Romance

One of the strangest and most disturbing stories in Key West history is that of Count Carl von Cosel. In the 1930s, this radiology technician fell in love with a young tuberculosis patient named Elena Milagro “Helen” de Hoyos. After she died, he paid for her funeral but eventually stole her body from the mausoleum. He lived with the corpse in his home for seven years, using wax, plaster, and glass eyes to “preserve” her. He was eventually caught, but the statute of limitations had passed, so he wasn’t prosecuted. It remains one of the island’s darkest ghost legends.

19. The Key Lime Pie Origin Story

While the exact origin is debated, Key West claims Key Lime Pie as its own. The pie was likely created by sponge fishermen (called hookers) or their cooks. Before refrigeration, they used sweetened condensed milk (a canned necessity), eggs, and the juice of the tiny, tart Key limes native to the area. The acid in the lime juice reacted with the milk to thicken the pie without baking—though today, we bake them for safety. The “Green vs. Yellow” debate is fierce here; authentic Key Lime Pie is yellow. If you are served a green pie, it’s food coloring, and you should send it back!

20. Sponge Fishing Was Huge

Before tourism, before cigars, and alongside wrecking, sponge fishing was a massive industry. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Key West controlled nearly the entire U.S. sponge market. Sponges harvested from the local waters were used for cleaning and bathing worldwide. While a fungus and the invention of synthetic sponges killed the industry, you can still find plenty of natural sponges in the shops near the Historic Seaport.

21. Cayo Hueso Means “Bone Island”

The name “Key West” is actually an English corruption of the Spanish name Cayo Hueso, which translates to “Bone Island.” When Spanish explorers first arrived, they found the island littered with human bones. These were likely the remains of indigenous people (the Calusa or Tequesta) who used the island as a communal burial ground. The English speakers heard “Cayo Hueso” and it sounded like “Key West,” so the name stuck. It adds a spooky layer to the already rich ghost legends of the area.

22. Fantasy Fest Rivals Mardi Gras

If you think Key West is wild on a normal Tuesday, you should see it in late October. Fantasy Fest is a ten-day party started in 1979 to boost tourism during the slow season. It has grown into a massive event rivaling New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, featuring elaborate body painting, wild costumes, and a parade that attracts tens of thousands of revelers. It is a celebration of creativity and freedom where inhibitions are left at the bridge.

23. The “Little White House” Was a Command Center

We mentioned Truman, but he wasn’t the only President to use the naval station residence. Eisenhower recuperated there after a heart attack. Kennedy met with British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan there just weeks after the Cuban Missile Crisis. The house has hosted six American presidents in total, serving as a quiet but critical location for Cold War diplomacy and strategy.

24. A Lighthouse in the Middle of Town

Most lighthouses are on the jagged edge of a coast. The Key West Lighthouse sits comfortably across from the Hemingway Home, seemingly landlocked. When it was built in 1848, it was on the coast, but the island has been expanded with fill over the decades, pushing the shoreline out. It was also unique because it had a female keeper, Barbara Mabrity, who took over in 1832 after her husband died—a rarity for the 19th century. You can climb the 88 steps to the top for one of the best views of the island.

25. The Green Flash is Real

Locals and visitors at Mallory Square aren’t just watching the sunset for the beauty; they are hunting for the “Green Flash.” This is a real optical phenomenon that can occur right at the moment the upper rim of the sun disappears below the horizon. The atmosphere acts as a prism, separating the sunlight, and if the conditions are perfect (clear sky, stable air), a distinct spot of green light is visible for a split second. It’s rare, elusive, and the Holy Grail of Key West sunsets.

Ready to Experience the Magic Yourself?

Reading about Key West is one thing, but feeling the ocean breeze on Duval Street and tasting a fresh slice of Key Lime pie is something else entirely. Whether you want to hunt for ghosts in the cemetery, snorkel the living reef, or just toast the sunset at Mallory Square, this island is waiting for you. Don’t miss a single secret this paradise has to offer. Check out our comprehensive Key West Vacation Guide today to plan your perfect getaway to the Conch Republic!