BOOKS
Historic Lighthouses of the Florida Keys
by Laura Albritton & Jerry Wilkinson
The Florida Keys possess a staggering wealth of lighthouses--nine in all, from the remote iron light at Fowey Rocks to classic brick structures at Key West and Loggerhead Key. In the 1820s, the US government began constructing lighthouses to aid mariners navigating the dangerous Florida Reef. While some of the original lights were subsequently destroyed in dramatic circumstances, most that followed, including Carysfort Reef, Alligator Reef, Sombrero Key, Sand Key, and American Shoal, survived intense tropical weather and even major hurricanes. Among the lighthouse keepers were remarkable women who succeeded in a profession usually reserved for men.
Arcadia Publishing, 128 pages
Hidden History of the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys have witnessed all kinds of historical events, from the dramatic and the outrageous to the tragic and the comic. In the nineteenth century, uncompromising individuals fought duels and plotted political upsets. During the Civil War, a company of "Key West Avengers" escaped their Union-occupied city to join the Confederacy by sailing through the Bahamas. In the early twentieth century, black Bahamians founded a town of their own, while railway engineers went up against the U.S. Navy in a bid to complete the Overseas Railroad. When Prohibition came to the Keys, one defiant woman established a rumrunning empire that dominated South Florida. Join Laura Albritton and Jerry Wilkinson as they delve into tales of treasure hunters, developers, exotic dancers, determined preservationists and more from colorful Florida Keys history.
The History Press, 144 pages
Key West's Duval Street
Duval Street, the pulsing heart of historic Key West, is one of the most legendary avenues in the United States. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, this iconic thoroughfare has seen everyone from Ulysses S. Grant to Ernest Hemingway. Collecting remarkable archival photographs, Images of America: Key West's Duval Street features famous buildings such as Key West's Oldest House, St. Paul's Church, the Southernmost House, the Strand Theater, the San Carlos Institute, and La Concha Hotel, along with fabled bars like Sloppy Joe's and the Bull & Whistle. This book celebrates the irrepressible spirit and heritage of a much-beloved American destination. An essential addition to any Florida Keys history collection. By Laura Albritton and Jerry Wilkinson.
Arcadia Publishing, 128 pages
Marathon: The Middle Keys
The Middle Keys have experienced a fascinating history, from the time when wreckers plied the Florida Reef to the days of Henry Flagler's audacious overseas railroad. Once the Overseas Highway opened, travelers could reach Marathon by car and tourism boomed. As more people settled in Marathon, the community grew and flourished. The majesty of the Middle Keys' two Seven Mile Bridges has inspired postcards, paintings, and even movie scenes. Local institutions like the Dolphin Research Center and the Turtle Hospital have also garnered a host of fans. Images of America: Marathon: The Middle Keys captures the story of these unique islands and their rich photographic legacy.
Arcadia Publishing, 128 pages
Miami for Families
"Beautifully written, well organized, and essential. My advice for anyone visiting the Miami area: don't leave home without this book."--Connie May Fowler, author of Before Women Had Wings and How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly
"Albritton parcels out Miami's sun-dappled, hammock-lined splendor in kid-size portions, with a smart take on what attracts kids--and, more important, what parents will enjoy alongside them."--Susanna Daniel, author of Sea Creatures and Stiltsville
"Provides excellent and accurate information and has certainly taught me a thing or two about visiting Miami with a child--despite having lived here for over a decade."--Joanna Johnson, University of Miami
Miami for Families by Laura Albritton divides the metropolis into eight manageable neighborhoods, with helpful text boxes on deals, splurges, and inside scoops, so you can easily organize your trip and maximize family fun while avoiding the common headaches of rush-hour traffic and lack of diaper-changing facilities. Writer and long-time Miami resident Albritton shares a surprising variety of activities, from kayaking with manatees off Key Biscayne to exploring the waterfront parks of South Beach, with day trips to the Florida Keys.
The University Press of Florida.
