To answer that question enjoy the below and I am sure you will agree Key West is one of the most unique locations for weddings and wedding guests!
There’s so much to do and see in Key West, you’ll wonder how they fit it all on a 2 by 4 mile island. From six-toed cats and pirates’ booty to hallowed grounds and gorgeous sunsets, you’ll find more than enough history, outdoor beauty, and quirky Key West oddities to fill your vacation. With over 400 restaurants with a flavor for every palette many include some of the over 300 bars located in Key West with many with closing hour as late as 4 am they are all unique with many live musicians playing their own Key West style sounds.
The history of Key West begins with Native Americans! It is known that Key West’s earliest inhabitants were Native Americans confirmed when the first Spanish explorer arrived in 1513, however the history shows first settlement permanent settlement occurred on the island January 19, 1822 when John W. Simonton of Alabama purchased Key West from Juan Pablo Salas for the handsome sum of $2,000; the latter had acquired it as a Spanish Land Grant in 1815 for his service to the Spanish crown. Since Florida was a new U.S. Territory the original Don Juan de Estrata Land Grant to Salas had to the confirmed – no U.S. deed could be granted. Simonton was in a race to lay claim to the island against other individuals, but his tenacity paid off and he was finally given legal claim.
Simonton soon took on three northern partners: John Whitehead, John Fleeming and Pardon Greene. Simonton divided it up property amongst he and his three partners. These investors acknowledged that Key West’s natural deep water port was the deepest port between New Orleans and Norfolk, Virginia. The history continues throughout the years, but the Key West we now know as Old Town has its own history beginning in 1886.
So we now know how Greene and Simonton Streets were named but who was Duval Street named after? Duval Street, was named after Florida’s first territorial governor, William Pope Duval, who held office from 1822-1834. Three notable leaders, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, appointed him.
Now Duval Street is an easy 1.25 mile of restaurants, shops, bars and hotels/inns.
The current Old Town that you and your guests will enjoy history begins with the structures dating from 1886 to 1912. The basic features that distinguish the local architecture include wood-frame construction of one- to two-and-a-half-story structures set on foundation piers about three feet (one meter) above the ground. Exterior characteristics of the buildings are peaked metal roofs, horizontal wood siding, pastel shades of paint, side-hinged louvered shutters, covered porches along the fronts of the structures, and wood lattice screens covering the area elevated by the piers.
The major tourist destinations of the island, including Mallory Square, Duval Street, the Truman Annex, and Fort Zachary Taylor. Old Town is where the classic bungalows and guest mansions are found. Bahama Village, southwest of Whitehead Street, features houses, churches, and sites related to its Afro-Bahamian history. The Meadows, lying northeast of the White Street Gallery District, is exclusively residential. The John Huling Geiger House (1846–1849), now preserved as the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens. Fortifications such as Fort Zachary Taylor, the East Martello Tower, and the West Martello Tower, helped ensure that Key West would remain in Union control throughout the Civil War. Another landmark built by the federal government is the Key West Lighthouse, now a museum.
Two of the most notable buildings in Old Town, occupied by prominent 20th-century residents, are the Ernest Hemingway House, where the writer lived from 1931 to 1939, and the Harry S. Truman Little White House, where the president spent 175 days of his time in office. Additionally, the residences of some historical Key West families are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as important landmarks of history and culture, including the Porter House on Caroline Street and the Gato House on Virginia Street.
Several historical residences of the Curry family remain extant, including the Benjamin Curry House, built by the brother of Florida’s first millionaire, William Curry, as well as the Southernmost House and the Fogarty Mansion, built by the children of William Curry—his daughter Florida and son Charles, respectively.
Key West Cemetery near Solares Hill, the highest point of land on the island. In addition to architecture, Old Town includes the Key West Cemetery, founded in 1847, containing above-ground tombs, notable epitaphs, and a plot where some of the dead from the 1898 explosion of USS Maine are buried.
So back to our question – why choose Key West Florida for your wedding? You will find some highlights below that you and your guests will enjoy.
Southernmost Point – Erected in 1983, the Southernmost Point concrete buoy was originally marked with a sign that was often stolen.
Key West Lighthouse Museum – Opening in 1848, the Key West Lighthouse was one of the first and only to have a woman as its keeper—nearly unheard of during the 19th century.
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory – Experience the magical world of butterflies and exotic birds at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum – Home to an amazing wealth of treasures recovered from sunken Spanish galleons by Mel Fisher and his crew.
Mallory Square has a long history of being a center of activity in Key West.
Key West Aquarium – Located in Key West’s famous Mallory Square, the Key West Aquarium is one of the Island’s most popular attractions.
Custom House – Built in 1891, this stunning representation of Key West architecture has had many lives as the Key West Customs office, postal service, district courts, and United States Navy headquarters for their Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico operations.
West Martello – Tower Key West Garden Club Built by the US Army in 1863 as a look out during the Civil War and Spanish-American Wars, this former military site is today a National Historic Site and home to the Key West Garden Club.
East Martello Art & Historical Society – Originally built by the United States Army in 1862 to protect Key West against a possible attack by the Confederate Army, today visitors can explore the property which is run by the Key West Art & Historical Society.
Key West Cemetery – Sitting at the foot of Solares Hill in Old Town, the Key West Cemetery was established in 1847 after a hurricane washed out the Island’s original cemetery.
Coast Guard Cutter Ingham – Key West’s Maritime Museum and National Historic Landmark, the Coast Guard Cutter Ingham is located at the Truman Waterfront.
Little White House – The Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida was the
winter White House for President Harry S. Truman for 175 days during 11 visits. The house is located in the Truman Annex neighborhood of Old Town, Key West.
Ernest Hemingway House – The Ernest Hemingway House was the residence of American writer Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s. The house is situated on the island of Key West, Florida. It is at 907 Whitehead Street, across from the Key West Lighthouse, close to the southern coast of the island. But for most guests the draw is the 6 toed cats – currently up to 60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats. (Cats normally have five front toes and four back toes.)
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park – The Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, also known simply as Fort Taylor, is a Florida State Park and National Historic Landmark centered on a Civil War-era fort located near the southern tip of Key West, Florida. You can tour the fort or just enjoy a day picnicking in the sun and swimming in the best ocean location in Key West.
Mallory Square – For the best shopping in paradise, there’s no better location than Mallory Square. Stroll through the air-conditioned building and discover some of the finest Key West treasures, novelty gifts, and souvenirs. From beautifully handcrafted goods to world renowned brand names, Mallory Square offers something for everyone in one vibrant and majestic setting. But more importantly the Sunset Celebration every night of the year! Sunset Celebration Performers – As far back as the early 19th century, the majesty of Key West’s famed sunsets began to be documented into the official record. Naturalist and author John Audubon wrote of them in his inimitable style but, it is said, that playwright and raconteur Tennessee Williams established the very first Key West Sunset Celebration by applauding the sun as it sank below the horizon. Today, as it has been for years, Mallory Square is the meeting place for these nightly festivities where locals and visitors alike salute one of nature’s wonders surrounded by performers and vendors in a wonderful show of community. Here’s what you might expect to see at our square on any given day as the sun sets: Here is what you might expect to enjoy any night of the year – Live Music, Stunt Performers, Comedy Shows, Local Vendors .
If I were to answer the question – Why choose Key West for your wedding celebration it would be not only this unique small island at the Southernmost point of the United States it is packed with fun for every personality and offers stunning wedding venues that can’t be found anywhere else and I didn’t even touch on the watersports, boating, deep sea fishing, sunset sails and snorkeling!