Key West Cemetery

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All newer graves are put in above-ground vaults, similar to the cemeteries in New Orleans, as there is no more room below the ground.Photo: Marc Averette
All newer graves are put in above-ground vaults, similar to the cemeteries in New Orleans, as there is no more room below the ground.
Photo: Marc Averette
Many older graves date back to the mid-1800s and are weathered, broken and\or illegible.Photo: Marc Averette
Many older graves date back to the mid-1800s and are weathered, broken and\or illegible.
Photo: Marc Averette

The Key West Cemetery is a 19-acre cemetery on Solares Hill on the island of Key West, Florida, United States.

It is estimated that between 60,000-100,000 people are buried there, many more than the 30,000 residents who currently live on the island.[1]

It is in the Old Town area of the island.

Contents

[edit] History

It was established at its current location in 1847 after a 1846 hurricane washed dead bodies from the earlier cemetery out of the coastal sand dunes on Whitehead Point near the West Martello Towers.[2] The cemetery is among those profiled in the 2005 PBS documentary A Cemetery Special.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Key West City Cemetery
  2. ^ Key West Cemetery History

[edit] Sections of the cemetery

"A los martires de cuba" Section for Cuban freedom-fightersPhoto: Marc Averette
"A los martires de cuba" Section for Cuban freedom-fighters
Photo: Marc Averette
Historic Angel grave markerPhoto: Marc Averette
Historic Angel grave marker
Photo: Marc Averette
Confederate Navy soldiers' sectionPhoto: Marc Averette
Confederate Navy soldiers' section
Photo: Marc Averette