Key West
a city and county-seat of Monroe co., Fla.; on the Gulf of Mexico, and on the Florida East Coast railroad. It is also a port of entry and a noteworthy United States naval station. The city is built on an island of the same name, about 50 miles off the coast, 7 miles long by 1 to 2 wide, of coral formation, elevated only 11 feet above the sea, and covered with a thin layer of soil on which tropical fruits are successfully cultivated. Key West has an excellent harbor and regular steamer communication with the principal Atlantic and Gulf ports of the United States, and with Cuba. During the American- Spanish War the city was the rendezvous of the United States navy. The principal industries are the manufacture of cigars, sponge fishing, green turtle catching, and deep-sea fishing. Key West has a
United States Marine Hospital, a shipyard with marine railway, a United States dock, custom house, and the United States courts for the Southern District of Florida. Key West, the terminal of a chain of islands, is connected with the main land by a railway running through these islands and over a stone and concrete roadway connecting them with each other. This enterprise, financed and accomplished by Henry Flagler at a cost of some $15,000,000, makes it possible to carry through-cars, both with freight and passengers, between the United States and Cuba by means of an ocean ferry, capable of carrying 30 cars at a time. It was completed in 1915. Pop. (1910) 19,945; (1920) 18,749. ade is of section, the bran road, a s his town. colored clo in army enments, id toward first used , but aced in ' countries ng employ Turkish ander Gene e of Kut o a campaig ready pro ng the Tar expect face is are niso v S. it com ol. It con divided by native c The inhe e: the charg kov) ace of wns of 7. of Mo KHABAROVSK