Welcome to the Historic Cemetery of Key West

Arcturus Friday, June 21, 2013

Cemetery History

• 1847 Established – 4 Acre purchase– Windsor Lane and Passover Lane

• 1861 Catholic Plot • 1925 Expanded by FL– 19 Acres– 15 Acres usuable

Cemetery History contd.

• 1930 – 1970’s deteriorate• 1976 Declared Health Hazard by State– Broken tombs– Vandalism– Vegetation– Litter– Social andFiscal resolve

Cemetery History contd.

• 1996 Key West City Cemetery Preservation Plan. Center for Historic Cemeteries Preservation, Tallahassee.

• 2002 City of Key West Cemetery Master Plan• 2008 Cemetery Restoration Grant from state– Univ. West Florida– Contractors/Volunteers– Seabees

Cemetery Layout

Burials

1794-1849 1850-1900 1901-1950 1951-19990

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Number of Recorded Burials Original Cemetery

Catholic Section A Section B Section C Section Tri/D0

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Recorded Burials by Section Orig-inal Cemetery

Box Tombs

Side by Side w/ Gable peak Stacked Box

Cradle Tombs

Cradle filled with dirt grass Cradle with Head and Foot

Low Tombs

Broken Low w/ Gable Restored

Marker Tombs

Obelisks the most popular. What is the cap called? .

Statuary Tombs

Most cherished yet subject to vandals and erosion .

Vault Tombs

Gothic revival Brick crypt with gable roof

Concerns

• Preserve the historical value of the cemetery• Establish guidelines for future burials • Keep the cemetery open as a living feature of

Key West for residents and visitors.

Conclusion

• “I always remember an epitaph which is in the cemetery at Tombstone, Arizona. It says: ''Here lies Jack Williams. He done his damnedest.'' I think that is the greatest epitaph a man can have.” - Harry S Truman.

• http://www.historicfloridakeys.org/historicfloridakeys/Key_West_Cemetery_files/Cemetery-Map.jpg