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Pod the Road Again: Cedar Key

Welcome to "Pod the Road Again," I'm your host, P.T.R.A. Today, we're exploring the fascinating history and cultural significance of Cedar Key, a charming island on Florida's Gulf coast. Located about 60 miles southwest of Gainesville, Cedar Key has a rich past that spans thousands of years, from its early days as a temporary shelter for Spanish sailors and traders to its role in the Seminole Indian Wars. Cedar Key's history is deeply intertwined with its natural resources. The area was once home to numerous shell mounds and abundant Indian artifacts, indicating that humans have been attracted to this place for thousands of years. In the 18th century, "Las Islas Sabinas" (the Cedar Keys) provided shelter for Spanish sailors and traders, including Renato Beluche, an associate of the infamous Laffiite brothers, and William Augustus Bowles, a mercenary who supplied arms to the Indians. The islands played a significant role in the Seminole Indian Wars, with Depot Key serving as a hospital and military depot between 1839 and 1842. After the wars, the area became a major port for coastal shipping and travelers, with the railroad terminus at Cedar Key serving as a key passageway to the Gulf of Mexico. One of the most interesting stories about Cedar Key involves its role in the pencil industry. The cedar trees that gave the town its name supplied a large pencil factory in the mid-1800s. The Eberhard Faber mill on Atsena Otie Island cut red cedar slats for pencils, while The Eagle Pencil Company Mill on Way Key produced pencil slats and boxes. Both mills were severely damaged by a hurricane and fire in 1896, marking the end of their operations. Despite these setbacks, Cedar Key continued to thrive, with commercial fishing, boat building, sponging, green turtling, oystering, and turpentine distilling becoming major industries. The town even attracted notable figures like naturalist John Muir, who stayed with a miller on Way Key while recovering from malaria in 1867. Today, visitors can explore the Cedar Key Museum State Park to learn more about this rich history and see exhibits featuring St. Clair Whitman's extensive collections of seashells and Native American artifacts.


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More About Cedar Key

Cluster of small islands in Florida known for Old Florida charm and excellent seafood

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