Upper Matecumbe Key

Earlier name:

Little Matecumbe

Matacombe la Mosa

Matacunbe Nuevo

Matecumbe (el/la) Viejo

Matecumbe el Grande

Matecunbe Nuebo

New Matecumbe

Young Matacomb

Scope Note:

 

The history of the names of both this key and Lower Matecumbe Key are very confusing, as identical names have been used at different times to designate both keys. Upper Matecumbe Key is the location of the original settlement site of Islamorada. There are a number of Indian mounds and habitation sites located here.

Geographic Location:

 

U.S. Highway 1 crosses key at approximately mile markers 79--83.5, betweeen Windley Key and Lower Matecumbe Key.

References:

 

The 1733 Spanish wreck chart shows Matecumbe Viejo. Father Alaņa's chart (1743) shows Matecumbe el Vieio. Juan de Liguera chart (1742) shows Matecumbe el Viejo. An unidentified 1760 chart shows Matecumbe el Biejo. The O'Carol chart (1770) shows Matecumbe el Viejo. DeBrahm (1772) shows Matacombe la Mosa. Gauld chart (1775) shows New Matecumbe. Blunt's "American Coast Pilot" (1842) uses Little Matecumbe. Blunt chart (1846) shows New Matecumbe. A survey map drawn in 1873 by Charles Smith shows Upper Metacombe Key.

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Send your comments, suggestions, corrections to: Jim Clupper

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