Everyone who visits Key West stops along the shore to take a photo with the colorfully painted Southernmost Point buoy, but why is this landmark so iconic? No trip to Key West is complete without a visit to this iconic landmark and it’s important to know its history.
Originally, the Southernmost Point was marked and identified by a small hand-painted wooden sign. The sign would attract travelers to the southernmost point in the United States, and many would take pictures in this area to share with their friends and family. This location was also popular for street vendors who would sell conch shells as souvenirs to those visiting Key West on vacation, which are still popular souvenirs to this day.
This popular wooden sign, denoting the “Southernmost Point” had been repeatedly stolen over the years, in addition to being damaged by hurricanes. The frequent theft became an exhausting and costly burden to Key West. To solve this ongoing problem, the town of Key West, Florida decided to erect a 12ft tall, 7ft wide anchored concrete buoy in 1983.
This massive monument serves as the official marker of the Southernmost Point and notes that Cuba is only 90 miles away. The top of the monument states “The Conch Republic” which refers to when Key West tried to secede from the US, declaring itself The Conch Republic in a protest stunt, that resulted in a boom in tourism and local pride. Every April, Key West celebrates this with a big party lasting 10 days. Key West locals enjoy referring to themselves as “conches”. To the right of the monument, you’ll see a plaque commemorating the brave Cubans who have drowned trying to get to America.
In September of 2017, the Southernmost Point landmark was badly damaged by Hurricane Irma. Thankfully, the City of Key West hired the original artist, local painter - Danny Acosta, to bring the concrete buoy back to life, and to this day, The Southernmost Point still remains as the most-photographed landmark in all of Key West.
While the Southernmost Point landmark is an absolute must, you may be shocked to discover that it isn’t actually the most southernmost point in Key West...or even in the United States. Roughly 500 ft farther south from the marker is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Park, and even that isn’t the most southern point! Ballast Key is actually the true most southern point of Florida which is a private island south and west of Key West located 10 miles away.
It’s also surprising to note that Cuba is actually 94 miles away, which is 4 miles further than what’s indicated on the monument.
Be sure to get your picture taken at the Southernmost Point then head off to enjoy your day in Key West. It is just as much of it a”Must Do” as the Sunset Festival at Mallory Square.
