At the center of Old Town, Key West Cemetery reveals the quirky history of this small city and its past residents. After a hurricane destroyed the former burial grounds, the city purchased land to establish this new cemetery in 1847. The main entrance at Passover and Angela Streets hands out pamphlets with a map and directions for a self-guided walking tour, or you can visit the website ahead of time to print off your copy. The tour suggests visiting the graves of William Curry, Florida’s first millionaire; “Sloppy” Joe Russell, Key West’s most popular barman; and B.P. “Pearl” Roberts, a hypochondriac whose headstone reads “I told you I was sick”; among other interesting characters who shaped the past of this city. To visit Key West Cemetery on your trip to Key West, use our Key West road trip site.
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Key West Cemetery reviews
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I walked by part of the Key West Cemetery after hours. Many old monuments and mausoleums are visible. Some of Key West’s iconic roosters and chickens were walking around among the headstones. It’s an.... more »
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We walked past several times on our way back to our room and really enjoyed reading the names on the stones through the fence. One day, we rented bicycles and took a ride inside the cemetery, which... more »
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Really enjoyed the cemetery. Not a whole lot of chickens around but kept hearing rustling near the graves. Was surprised by the iguanas scampering in and around tombstones.
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The Key West Cemetery is alive with history, one-of-a-kind grave markers since 1847 (& a couple transferred from old Key West Cemetery, various lizards, roosters & chickens, strolling visitors, international airport jets flying low overhead (landing approach). Still an active cemetery, including cemetery tours or self-tour maps. Admiring the unique headstones/foot-stones, humorous quotes, “Remember the Maine” disaster memorial, plus will take hours, if not weeks. A “Run-A-Way Bill” Favorite Key West attraction. 03.21.19
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