Transcript
Cedar Key Guide
WELCOME TO CEDAR KEY, "THE ISLAND CITY."
If you stay for any length of time, you'll find this is more than just a tranquil spot, far from the maddening crowd; it's a way of life.
Cedar Key is a place where the pace is leisurely and the manner is simple.
BRIEF HISTORY
Cedar Key is steeped in history. From its earliest Indian inhabitants, through eras of pirates, wars, the Atlantic-Gulf Railroad, seafood industries, cedar mills, tidal waves and hurricanes, little Cedar Key has had more than its share of adventures.
After the Seminole Wars ended in 1842, there was a decade of development on Atsena Otie Key with a U.S. Post Office designated as "Cedar Key". The present City of Cedar Key started as the railroad terminus on Way Key, where the first train rolled in from Fernandina in 1861 just before the outbreak of the Civil War.
In 1869, during Reconstruction and military occupation of Florida, this railroad company town on Way Key became incorporated as the "Town of Cedar Keys". It wasn't until 1945 that the present name of Cedar Key was designated by the Post Office.
In the 1870's came expansion and a boom extended into the late 1880's. The economy revolved around rail and sea transportation, timber, harvesting and milling, and the collecting and processing of seafood. Commercial sponging and boatbuilding were also significant and the port was on the mail route from New Orleans and Key West.
In 1896 a massive hurricane smashed into the Cedar Keys. The railroad, sawmills, and some fine homes experienced great destruction. Atsena Otie has remained a remote half mile off-shore reachable only by boat.
What sets Cedar Key apart now is not its past...but its present.
THE CEDAR KEYS
The Cedar Keys received their name from the fact that the islands were originally covered with large stands of cedar trees.
Way Key...is the largest of over 100 keys comprising the Cedar Keys group. The City of Cedar Key now occupies the major portion of Way Key.
Atsena Otie Key...is a Creek Indian name meaning "Cedar Island". From 1839 to 1842, during the Seminole Wars, the Army maintained a supply depot on Atsena Otie, the Army's "Depot Key". It is the second largest Key, is uninhabited and affords a quiet beach for walking, beachcombing, picnicking and bathing.
Sea Horse Key...served as a detention camp for Indian captives during the Seminole Wars and also was a way station for U.S. troops in transit.
Here you will find an abandoned lighthouse built in 1855. The University of Florida maintains a marine laboratory and docking facilities on this Key. Sea Horse is a good spot for bird watching, beachcombing and swimming.
Nine of the Cedar Keys form a Federal Wildlife Refuge and are protected as bird nesting areas.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Historical Buildings
Downtown Cedar Key from First to Third Sts. and from A to F Sts., as well as the Dock area are designated as the Historical District.
Many of the structures on Second St. are over 100 years old. The Island Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
[photo caption] CHART OF THE CEDAR KEYS
Museums:
Cedar Key Historical Museum at Highway 24 and Second St. This museum depicts the history of Cedar Key with photographs, news clips and articles, antiques, artifacts, mineral rock collections, Indian relics and many unusual exhibits.
Cedar Key State Museum is located on Museum Road. It contains exhibits that show the colorful history of the area. it also houses a famous shell collection assembled by St. Clair Whitman, once a resident of Cedar Key.
Art Galleries:
The Gallery of Cedar Key and the Cedar Keyhole are both located on Second St. The Suwannee Triangle Gallery is located on the Dock.
Public Library
A small but complete library. You'll find it on C Street, right behind City Hall.
Library hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.; Tuesday, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. until noon.
City Dock:
Here you will find fishermen, lots of pelicans, boat slips and boat launch ramps, restaurants, sandwich shops, souvenir and tropical gift shops, artwork and casual island wear.
City Park and Beach:
Facing the Gulf of Mexico, between First and Second Sts., the City Park offers picnic tables, a gazebo, a children's playground, restrooms and a public bathing beach, all open to the public.
Shopping:
On the Dock: The Water's Edge and Island Tropics Shop, Tomorrow's Rainbow Department Store, The Cotton Patch.
On Second Street: The country Store, The Cedar Keyhole, Jeans and Things.
On State Road 24: Cypress Station, Grocery, Fishing and Marine Supplies (East of City), Gallagher's Groceries (downtown).
On First Street: Cason's Hardware, featuring fishing and marine products.
Restaurants**
Seafood: Johnson's Brown Pelican, Captain's Table, Sea Breeze...all on the Dock.
Gourmet Natural & Seafood: The Island Hotel on Second Street.
Gourmet: The Cedar Cove Dining Room and The Heron, both on Second Street.
Pizza, Oyster Bar, Seafood, Steaks: Salty's on Highway 24, just East of Whiddon Ave.
International Foods: Dock St. Deli, offering World-wide specialties on the Dock.
Southern Cooking: Rains Restaurant, corner of Whiddon Ave and Highway 24.
Sandwiches: Helen's Place, Dock St. Deli, both on the dock, The Sugar Shack on Second St.
Coffee Shop: Richburg's Breakfast Cove on Second Street.
Ice Cream Parlor & Game Room: The Sugar Shack, on Second Street.
Cocktail Lounges:
The Island Hotel, Frog's Landing, Captain's Table, Sea Breeze, Cedar's Lounge.
** Don't miss a famous specialty of Cedar Key when dining at one of these fine eateries where most serve a version of the delectable Palm Salad.
Palm Salad is created with lettuce, dates, peach or apricot chunks, pineapple, peanut butter, and shredded hearts of palm. Topped with a scoop of lime sherbet, this dish is a marvelous appetizer.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Motels/Hotels: Cedar Cove and Marina; Park Place; Cedar Inn; all on Second Street.
The Beach Front on G Street; The Island Place on First Street; The Islander on Highway 24; Gulfside Motel at the end of Highway 24; The Island Hotel on Second Street.
Cottages: Bon-Air Cottages, Crown Cottages, Taylor Cottages, all on Highway 24; The Faraway Inn, located at Third and G Streets.
RV Parks: Cedar key RV and Trailer Park at Seventh and G Sts., Sunset Isle RV and Trailer Park, Highway 24; Cedar Resorts and Rainbow Country RV and Campground, both on Highway 24, just east of the city.
Auto Service, Gas Stations: Richards Service Station and Cedar Key Auto Parts and Marine, located on Highway 24. Car Wash and Laundromat may be found a Richard's Plaza.
Dry Boat Storage & Boat Repairs: At Salty's Marina on Highway 24 there's a home for your boat and all kinds of boat repairs.
Veterinarian: Pet need a doctor? Dr. Davis Meeks is located in the Bon Aire Cottages on State Rd. 24. Hours: Tues. and Thurs: from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
THINGS TO DO IN CEDAR KEY
Collect Shells: This is the place for taking live shells: whelks, king's crown conch, tulips, angel wings, various clams, horseshoe crabs and large sanddollars.
Shells are best found at low tide or near sandbars. Also check Atsena Otie and Sea Horse Keys.
Go Island (Key) Hopping: Licensed water guides and their boats may be hired by the hour or the day for sightseeing or fishing trips. Found in the city telephone directory: Alan Campbell, Abbie Napier, Bill Roberts.
Try Your Luck At Fishing: You can catch whiting, yellow tail, croaker, catfish, trout, flounder, sheepshead or redfish to mention just a few species.
Throw out a net and get some mullet, the island's most popular fish.
Then there's oystering crabbing, clamming, and scalloping to test your skills...
Or charter an offshore boat and go for grouper shark, mackerel, or blackfish.
Study The birdlife: Become a "birder". Take your binoculars with you and let them help you see the nesting, mating, and other goings-on at the bird rookery on Sea Horse Key.
Explore the Island: Bicycles are for rent at Park Place and Cedar Cove Motels both on Second Street and the Faraway Inn, on Third and G Streets.
Or, you can rent a moped at the Country Store on Second Street.
Get Away From It All:....with a boat and a rod and reel. A fine selection of fishing tackle and outboard motor boats are available for rent at Cason's Hardware Store on First Street.
MEET PEOPLE
Cedar Key's civic organizations and clubs always welcome visitors. Here's a schedule of their meetings:
Lions Club: First and third Mondays of every month at 8 p.m. in the Lion's Den, Depot Road.
Lioness Club: First Wed. of every month at 7 p.m. in the Lions Den, Depot Road.
Garden Club: First Wed. of the month, Sept., thru May at 1 p.m. in the Lions Clubhouse (Lions Den), Depot Road.
Women's Club: Second Tues. (2 p.m.) and fourth Tues. (Noon), Sept. thru May at the Clubhouse.
Civil Air Patrol, Cedar Key Squadron. Every second Monday, 7 p.m. in the Episcopal Hall.
Chamber of Commerce. Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Historical Society. Approximately every two months, October through May. Inquire at the historical Museum for exact dates.
Alcoholics Anonymous. Wednesday and Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Episcopal Parish Hall.
ANNUAL FESTIVALS
Sidewalk arts Festival
The Cedar Key Sidewalk Arts Association sponsors a fine-arts show the third weekend in April. Paintings, photographs and sculptures are displays along the streets of town.
Seafood Festival
The Cedar Key Lions Club presents this celebration in praise of the sea and its tasty, abundant bounty the third weekend in October. All kinds of fish or seafood can be found, as well s many other foods served in the city park.
DecemberFest
The Chamber of Commerce sponsors this Christmas extravaganza the first weekend in December. This is a fine-crafts show with cash prizes and purchase awards.
AND SO GOODBYE...
Now that you have learned something about the unique City of Cedar Key, we hope you will look into some of the interesting places and things to do here.
Above all...enjoy your stay! And, please COME BACK SOON!
Perhaps for good?
Cedar Key Guide,
First Edition, 1985
Almsteadt Publications
P.O. Box 33
Cedar Key, FL. 32625
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