Lignum Vitae Key

Earlier name:

Cayo de la Leņa

Jenkinson Island

Scope Note:

 

Records of the ownership of Lignum Vitae Key go back to 1843, including the years of 1919-1953 when the Matheson family of Miami owned the island. On March 2, 1971 Lignum Vitae and nearby Shell Keys were purchased by the State of Florida, and Lignum Vitae became a state botanical site.

Geographic Location:

 

Located due north of, and less than one mile from the easternmost tip of Lower Matecumbe Key.

References:

 

Cayo de la Leņa (Spanish for "Firewood Key") on an unsigned Spanish chart of 1760. Jenkinson Island on DeBrahm chart (1772). Lignum Vita Key on Romans chart (1774). Lignum Vitae Kay on both Gauld (1775) and Blunt (1846).

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Send your comments, suggestions, corrections to: Jim Clupper

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