KEY WEST, A THUMBNAIL VIEW

If you have never been to the Florida Keys, this article may give you an idea of what to expect. Key West is the end of the chain of keys (islands) reaching out from the southern most point of Florida. The word 'key' was derived from the old world word 'Cay', which is still used in the Bahamas and other places. The shops and night life are extreme. Sundown will find crowds at Mallory Square to watch the sundown. Magicians, jugglers, food vendors, art vendors and many other strange and beautiful people gather.

On Duval Street, the main drag, there are famous places like Sloppy Joe's, Hog's Breath Saloon and hundreds of shops are found. Live music, great seafood and drink are served all night long. After hours there is always a bar open to serve the other bar employees from bars that have closed. There are many hotels and tucked away condos for tourists to stay. However, it wasn't always this way.

Discovered by Ponce De Leon in 1513, it was only inhabited by Indians and Pirates for over 300 years. Originally named the 'Isle of Bones', it was the first Western settlement and subsequently named Key West. Once bought by a man from Mobile Alabama for $2,000 dollars, it grew into a town of 2700. During this time, Key West become one of the richest cities due to the sometimes bogus salvage business from wrecked ships.

Cuban born Vincente Martinez Ybor, once began a thriving cigar business in Key West which grew to 167 factories as cigars became the rage. However, to improve distribution, the cigar industry then moved to Tampa, where it is still in existence today in Ybor City, a part of Tampa Florida.

The sponge industry sprang up in Key West with local 'Conch' and Greek sponge divers. Due to availability of sponges, the industry moved to Tarpon Springs and thrived for years. Today it still is in existence, but to a much lessor degree.

Flagler opened the overseas railway to Key West in 1912, which was washed away by the hurricane of 1935. The railway was rebuilt as the Overseas Highway, which to this day is one of the two ways to get to Key West. The other way is to fly in.

HOGS BREATH SALOON

While fun is the primary ingredient at Key West Bars, food, drinks and music go a long way to providing fun. Once in Key West, you will no doubt stroll down Duval Street. Walking West, you'll pass several good bars, some street level, while others are upstairs. Music chimes in and out as you move through the people. A live band gains your attention away from the shops along the street. The music is coming from the left about 100 feet off the street. It's the famous Hogs Breath Saloon.

Here you have found one of the two most famous bars on the strip. The other being Sloppy Joe's Bar. Now you start to feel the music as well as the excitement of live music. At Hogs Breath, you can sit, eat a plate of shrimp or one of the many menu offerings of crab, fish, lobster in season, or perhaps a lighter snack. You can sip a really good drink and listen to the music into the wee hours. This is part of the reason you go to Key West. Remember, "Hogs breath is better than no breath at all". (Saloon motto)
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