The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1946-02-15
Cincinnati Travel Editor Saws
Key West Well Worth The Trip

the island of Key West, he found
thousands of human bones strewn
along the sandy beaches. These
were the remains, probably, OF
native peoples-Caribs and Ca
lusas-who fought often for con-
troll of this choice hunting and
fishing territory. The Spaniard-
so the story goes-called the place
tCayo Hueso (island of bones).
EEnglishmen, following later, cor
rupted the name to Key West-a
VERY appropriate title.
The city itself is not old-it
was founded in 1900 and incor-
porated in 1928. But it has an
interesting and colorful history.
At one time it was the greatest
, manufacturing center in the
world for clear Havana cigars, al
| though at the time-between 1880
and 1870-the town was entirely
isolated from contact with the
outside world except by water.
Later it became a great sponge
market, but a scourge destroyed
the animals in Key West waters,
and this source Of revenue was
lost. Today it is one of the most
important defense installations in
this part of the world, and is be-
coming, as well, great tourist
and vacation center. The rail line,
which operated from 1912 to 1885,
has been replaced by the motor
road over which we've just driv-
en-.
The city has beautiful homes
and pleasant shops Its harbor is
worth visitsI' Prices generally
seem reasonable enough. And,
incidentally, we had one of the
best fish dinners there that we've
ever had--anyplace! as
| KEY VESTS WEATHER is
worth Dragging about. This
comes not only from the Chom-
Der of Commerce, but from
scores of visiting customers.
The city is proud of the chart
of extremes" it issues. During
1914, for instance, the highest
recorded temperature was 81,
the lowest 81. Even during the
summer months the range is
down to the low 70s, while in
winter the mercury often tops
the 80 mark. Fogs are most
unusual. Sunshine seems to be
stondard equipment, ID.
THE KEY WEST Chamber of
Comneree--in spite of the sales
talk at its Communicates
frankly that tourists will find
stopping places most difficult to
obtain. With the recent announce
ment that Navy personnel in the
lcity would remain about the same
that it was during the. war, came
the, realization that only new con
struetion could accommodate any
i great increase in tourist business.
And new construction still lies in
| the future.
I StephenaC.. Singleton, executive
secretary of the &C, told us that
his organization would welcome
holiday viSitors-just as soon as
there were places in which to
care for them. At the present
time, he said, there is a waiting
list of 258 enlisted men and 18l
officers seeking quarters. AL
hotels, houses and apartments are
filled to capacity. Some private
homes have rooms for transients
but these can't be counted or
unless reservations have beer
made in advance, Mr.. Singleton
said. He went on to say that the
Chamber of Commerce is doing
all it can to care for the tourist
business but that officials feel the
first obligation is to military per
isonnel stationed here. The war
| for them, is not yet over, the sec
tretary declared oU6 u nr
eaeou = fuuf5g yt50
THE REAL ESTATE BOOM
which has been sweeping all Of
Florida, also is sweeping the Keys
and with force almost as IT.
repressible as that of the great
hurricane. Remember, if you
can, that these islands still are
almost completely undeveloped
From Key West to Miami there
are no towns of any size-only
| tiny hamlets. A water line re.
Gently has been put through
there is electric service and |
road. Yet we learn from severa
sources that 100-foot lots are sell
ing in this comparatively remot,
section for as much as $4,000! On,
lad with whom we were FISHING
yesterday said he'd bought fivl