page_title: Conch (people)
section_title: Florida Keys
hierarchical_section_title: Conch (people) / Use in Florida / Florida Keys
caption_attribution_description: Green Turtle on Wharf at Key West
context_page_description: Conch was originally a slang term for native Bahamians of European descent.
context_section_description: By extension, the term "Conch" has also been applied to the descendants of Bahamian immigrants in Florida. Bahamians began visiting the Florida Keys in the 18th century to catch turtles, cut timber, and salvage wrecks. During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, most of the permanent residents in the Florida Keys outside of Key West, and many in Key West, were Bahamian in origin. "Conch" was reported to be a term of "distinction" for Bahamians in Key West in the 1880s.
  The white Bahamians in the keys continued to be known as "conchs". A WPA produced Guide to Florida noted that both 'Conchs' and black Bahamians in Key West spoke with a "Cockney accent". Other residents of the Florida Keys, especially in Key West, began applying the term "Conch" to themselves, and it is now applied generally to all residents of Key West. See: Conch Republic. To distinguish between natives and non-natives, the terms "Salt Water Conch" (native) and "Fresh Water Conch" (non-native) have been used. Newcomers become "Fresh Water Conchs" after seven years.
caption: Old photo depicting Conchs in Key West, circa 1900
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