Pigeon Key (II)

Earlier name:

Cayo Paloma

Dove Kay

Scope Note:

 

Said to be named for large flocks of White-crowned pigeons (Columba leucocephala Linnaeus) which once roosted here. During the building of the Florida East Coast Railway Key West Extension, a major construction depot was located here, the jumping off point for construction of the Seven Mile Bridge. A number of buildings from the Flagler era remain on the island.

Geographic Location:

 

Located off old Seven Mile Bridge, at approximately mile marker 45, west of Knight's Key.

References:

 

Named Cayo Paloma on many Spanish charts. Blunt chart (1846) shows Dove Kay. Gerdes, in his "Reconnaissnce of the Florida Reefs and All the Keys" (1849) states: "The first key in Bahia Honda Bank W. of Key Vacas Harbor is named Pigeon Key."

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Send your comments, suggestions, corrections to: Jim Clupper

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