History

Ponce de Leon had sailed along the coast of Key West in 1513, but it was not before 1521 that he visited the island. The sailor was hit by a poisoned arrow; he died shortly after having set foot on the island.

Calusa, a Native American tribe, were the first inhabitants of the island. They were a part of the Caloosahatchee culture and lived in the Florida Keys. The Spanish seized the island in th 17th century and came to be known as ‘Bone Key’. The Calusa tribes were forced to Key West where they fought fiercely before migrating to Cuba. More can be found on travel guide for key west.

History of Key West on Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_West,_Florida#History

Key West History

http://www.floridakeys.com/keywest/key-west-history.htm

Around mid 1700s, Bone Key was taken over by England. European settlements were now prominent around the island who named it Key West. Fishing had become the prominent industry due to the prominence of fresh waters in the area. Spain regained the possession of the Island in 1815 after the revolutionary war. The island became a part of the United States after a few years when US claimed Key West to set up a base. This saw Key West come under a tough Navy commander Captain Porter. Porter established a stern military dictatorship in the area and ran the show according to his own rules.

During this time, Key West managed to grow in fame for its wrecking and salvaging industry and became of the wealthiest cities in the United States. The marine culture added to the wealth of the city where the businessmen started to prosper. The proximity of waters to the island was a blessing and Key West also turned out to be the primary salt provider of the US during the Civil War.

Following the war, alcohol followed by marijuana smuggling became a source of fortune for many. Over the time, the fishing and tourism industry picked up and grew exponentially. Presently, these two the primary source of income for most of the people living on the island. Key West travel guide gives accurate information about the economical setup of the city.

Key West History- by Jerry Wilkinson

http://www.keyshistory.org/keywest.html

Key West - extensive historical text

http://www.keywesttravelguide.com/key-west-history.html