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Sands Key
Geographic Location
Located in lower Biscayne Bay, between Elliott Key
and Boca Chita Key.
Reference
AlaƱa chart (1743) shows Restinga de las Tetas
(SP. "Sandbank of the Tits").
William Roberts, in his "First Discovery and
Natural History of Florida" (1763) uses Las Tetas.
O-Carrol chart (1776) also shows Restinga de las
Tetas.
DeBrahm (1772) shows Pownall Islands.
Romans chart (1774) noted that the Bahamians
called the island Saunder's Key.
J.W. Norie, in his Piloting Directions for the
Gulf of Florida,
Bahama Banks, & Islands (1828) states: "Next to
the northward of Elliot's Kay is a little island,
having two small hills on it, whence the Spaniards
have called it Las Tetas, or The Paps; but by the
English, it is called Pownal Kay."
The Bache Coast Survey of 1861 uses Sands Key.
A survey map drawn by M.A. Williams in 1872 shows
Sands Key.
Scope Note
Visited by Bernard Romans in 1774, who wrote that
the key was called Las Tetas, or the paps.
Romans said that this was due to two hills
(probably Indian mounds) on the island. He
further noted that the Bahamians called the island
Saunder's Key.
Norie, in his Piloting Directions for the Gulf of
Florida, Bahama Banks, & Islands (1828) states:
"Next to the northward of Elliot's Kay is a little
island, having two small hills on it, whence the
Spaniards have called it Las Tetas, or The Paps."
Historical name