Lazy day today. Got caught in an early morning downpour while out for a walk. Still managed to get some great shots of Key West's homes, buildings and unique sights.
The first home pictured above was built in 1987 and is the Southernmost House in Key West. The Queen Anne style mansion was designed as a one bedroom home and Thomas Edison oversaw the home's original electrical design and installation. During prohibition the mansion served as a "speakeasy" club and in the 1940's was night club. Five U.S. presidents have been hosted at the mansion. Today the mansion serves as a hotel.
Pictured above is the Monroe County Court House. Key West is the county seat of Monroe County, named for James Monroe, the fifth President of the U.S. It has a total area of over 3,700 square miles, over 70% of which is water, and as such is the largest county in Florida. It includes the entire Florida Keys and part of the Everglades and the Big Cypress National Preserve.
The Key West Lighthouse pictured above has a storied history. Originally built in 1825 as a warning beacon to reduce the number of shipwrecks on the treacherous shoals surrounding the island of Key West. By the mid-1800's there were an average of a wreck per week. The original lighthouse was washed out to sea by a hurricane in 1846. The hurricane destroyed or damaged most of the 600 homes on Key West as the island was under 5 feet of water and 14 people who sought refuge in the lighthouse during the storm perished when it collapsed. The current lighthouse was built in 1848 and served until 1969 when it was decommissioned by the Navy and now serves as a museum.
Finally, one of Key West's many cats totally relaxed after dinner last night.
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