History of Key Biscayne, Florida

I go to Key Biscayne, Florida at least 4 times a month.  I usually go to Hobie Beach right next to Rickenbacker Causeway.   I take my two boys who also love the beach.  My youngest son loves fishing on the old Rickenbacker bridge and my older son enjoys swimming in the calm, crystal aqua water. 

I love Hobie Beach also because it is one of the only beaches in Dade County that allows dogs (it might be the only one).

Many times we go biking at Bills Baggs State Park which is a historic and gorgeous park with amazing beaches.  And I  bring my camera and take great pictures of the my kids, the sunset and people enjoying the beach.

Below is a brief history of Key Biscayne:

Key Biscayne is approximately 5 miles long, two mile wide barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. Bordered by Miami-Dade County Crandon Park to the north, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park to the south, the atlantic ocean to the east and Biscayne Bay to the west.

FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF KEY BISCAYNE FLORIDA

1.  Several hundred years ago, Key Biscayne was an Eden-like island , a pre-Columbian heaven which was the center of civilization for the Tequestas, a small tribe of sea-savvy Indians who fished and whaled the crystal waters of the Florida Keys.

2.  Tequesta raised their villages on palm pilings, similar to the summer homes that currently line Florida's coasts They had to this because Key Biscayne is only about five feet above sea level.

3.  The Tequesta hunted sea turtles for their meat and harvested their eggs for valuable protein, this was before the sea turtles were endangered.

4. Ponce de Leon "discovered" the island and presented it to the King of Spain as Santa Maria in 1513.

5.  50 years later when the ruthless Pedro Menendez de Avila took refuge from a hurricane on Key Biscayne.  Avila had been on an expedition ordered by the King of Spain in which he was to found St. Augustine and massacre any French protestant "heretics" nearby.  Unfortunately, Avila established relations with the Tequesta and decided they should be good Catholics.

6. The Spanish built a mission managed by Jesuit priests and soldiers. to ensure the heathen Tequesta became proper Christians. This was a recipe for disaster for the Tequesta.

7.  Countless Spanish plate ships were destroyed on the treacherous shoals and reefs off Key Biscayne during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.  To this date,the treasure from these wrecks remain undiscovered.

8.  The island was named Vicaya (Biscayne) because a sailor for Iberian region was shipwrecked on the Key.

9.  The British attempted to bring in colonists and plantations to the vast wilderness, after Florida was transferred to British control in the mid 1700s.  However, this endeavor was short lived after the Revolution started and the British retreated to their homeland.

10.  Florida became a possession of Spain once and was called La Florida.  Then Spanish crown started giving land grants in South Florida,  especially in Key Biscayne.  Their goal was to bring Florida into a profitable standing.

UNITED STATES ACQUIRE FLORIDA FROM SPAIN

The Cape Florida Lighthouse was built in 1825. shortly after the US had acquired Florida from Spain, The Cape Florida Lighthouse is legendary landmark which is intact to this day.

Farmers from the north began arriving and setting up plantations as Key Biscayne grew and prospered.  The majority of the island's acreage was used for exotic fruit farms.

Naturalist came to Key Biscayne in droves because of Key Biscayne's isolated subtropical habitat and lush flora and fauna.  The area's gorgeous and scenic landscaped became renowned around the world which of course attracted countless adventurers and tourists.

The Matheson family established a huge coconut plantation on the Key for many years, up until just before World War Two.

Soon Key Biscayne became a magnet for wealthy.  Key Biscayne, like many Florida areas  became a favorite spot for the "Winter Elite" - a status it still enjoys to this day.

After the Rickenbacker Causeway from Miami to Biscayne was completed in 1947 major residential development thrived.   Previously, the city experienced growth from tourism and land speculators.

After World War Two, Key Biscayne was still largely undeveloped.

In 1950's the Mackle Brothers began developing their Villages of Key Biscayne and typical houses sold for less than $10,000. These homes were concrete block houses of about 1200 square feet with three bedrooms, one bathroom and a small screened-in porch.

These original homes were primarily sold to retirees and young families headed by World War II veterans who purchased them with GI Bill financing with a $ 500 down payment.  

These homes were referred to locally as "Mackles", and are worth as much as one million dollars today.  Wealthy visitors buy them - many from South America - tear them down to build Mansions with room for large families and live-in maids.

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In 1969, Key Biscayne Florida saw dramatic presidential development as well when Richard Nixon purchased his winter retreat in the referred to as the "Florida White House". He wanted to be close to his old buddy, Bebe. 

Charles "Bebe" Rebozo, became famous as a friend of Richard Nixon. He founded the Key Biscayne Bank and Trust  in 1964. Bebe was of Cuban descent.

Key Biscayne FL suffered some damage when Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992, but luckily Bill Baggs State Park took the brunt of the storm's fury. The hurricane turned out to be a blessing as all the invasive species, such as Australian pines, in the park were wiped out by the heavy winds and rain.

As a result of storm, the Park Service restored the area with all native plants, and today Bill Baggs Park resembles what old Florida's wilderness might have looked like when the Tequesta thrived in the island.  

Recently, as s result of the economic meltdown, development has slowed which may keep Key Biscayne’s gorgeous beaches from being ruined by tons of concrete shopping centers and condos.