Key West Airport.com history

In 1815, Spain awarded Key West or Cayo Hueso, as it was known then, to Juan Pablo Salas. Salas later sold the island to John Simonton, an American businessman for $2,000.00. Simonton, a true capitalist, convinced the US military that Key West would make a great naval base. Hence, in 1822, Lieutenant Perry of the US Navy sailed into Key West, proclaimed the island as a US territory, hung up a flag, fired off a salute and went home to Washington.

Key West was already a wild town in the 1800s, complete with Pirates, whorehouses, and ship wrecks whose bounty was shared with the islanders. Then in the 1920s the Prohibition jump-started Key West’s economy and reputation.

Bootleggers became overnight millionaires trafficking rum from Havana and whiskey from Nassau. Key West became well known for its oversupply of liquor and when Prohibition ended and numerous bars came out from hiding.

During that time Key West also became a hangout for artists and writers like Earnest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, forever leaving their mark on Key West History and making for an interesting mix of folks still haunting the bars and beaches of Key West today looking for inspiration.