Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Key, Florida | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 12-11225[8] | | |
GNIS ID | 280208[9] | |
Website | https://cityofcedarkey.org/ |
Cedar Key is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 687.[7] The Cedar Keys are a cluster of islands near the mainland. Most of the developed area for the City of Cedar Key has been on Way Key since the end of the 19th century. The Cedar Keys are named for the eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana, once abundant in the area.[10]
History
Early
While evidence suggests human occupation as far back as 500 BC, the first maps of the area date to 1542, when a
Followers of
Indian War
During the Second Seminole War, the United States Army established Fort No. 4 on the mainland adjacent to the Cedar Keys. (The name "No. 4" was later applied to a boat channel next to the fort, and then to a railroad trestle and a highway bridge over that channel.) In 1840, General Zachary Taylor requested the Cedar Keys be reserved for military use for the duration of the war, and that Seahorse Key be permanently reserved for a lighthouse.[16] In 1840, General Walker Keith Armistead, who had succeeded Zachary Taylor as commander of United States troops in the war, ordered construction of a hospital on what had become known as Depot Key.[17] (The island's name may reflect the establishment of a depot there by Florida militia general Leigh Read. The primary depot for the U.S. Army in Florida at the time was at Palatka, Florida.)[17][18] Depot Key was the headquarters for the Army in Florida, but Fishburne states headquarters was not in a fixed place, but wherever the commander was.[19]
Cantonment Morgan was established on nearby Seahorse Key by 1841 and used as a troop deployment station and as a holding station for Seminoles who had been captured or who had surrendered until they could be sent to the West. A
Pre-Civil War
In 1842, the United States Congress had enacted the
Cedar Key became an important port, shipping lumber and naval stores harvested on the mainland. By 1860, two mills on Atsena Otie Key were producing "cedar" slats for shipment to northern pencil factories. As a result of the growth, the US Congress appropriated funds for a lighthouse on Seahorse Key in 1850. The Cedar Key Light was completed in 1854. The lighthouse lantern is 28 feet (8.5 m) above the ground, but the lighthouse sits on a 47-foot-high (14 m) hill, putting the light 75 feet (23 m) above sea level. The light was visible for 16 miles (26 km). Wood-frame residences were added to each side of the lighthouse several years later.[20][21]
In 1860, Cedar Key became the western terminus of the Florida Railroad, connecting it to Fernandina Beach, Florida on the east coast of Florida.[22] David Levy Yulee, U.S. senator and president of the Florida Railroad, had acquired most of Way Key to house the railroad's terminal facilities. A town was platted on Way Key in 1859, and Parsons and Hale's General Store, which is now the Island Hotel, was built there in the same year.[23] On March 1, 1861, the first train arrived in Cedar Key, just weeks before the Civil War began.
Civil War era
With the advent of the American Civil War in 1861, Confederate agents extinguished the light at Seahorse Key and removed its supply of sperm whale oil. The defense of Cedar Key was assigned to the Columbia and New River Rifles, two companies of the 4th Florida Infantry Regiment, under the command of Lt. Colonel M. Whit Smith.[24] On July 3, 1861, four Federal war prize schooners appeared off Cedar Key. The schooners, originally captured by the USS Massachusetts off New Orleans, were under the command of U. S. Navy Lieutenant George L. Selden, nephew of former Treasurer of the United States William Selden, and manned by nineteen sailors.[25] Col. Smith led his two rifle companies along with one six-pounder cannon twenty miles offshore on the steamer Madison and captured the schooners after firing two warning shots. With the recovery, Col. Smith and his men liberated fifteen Confederate sailors, recovered the vessels' valuable cargo of railroad iron and turpentine and effected the first capture of a U. S. Naval officer at sea during the war.[24]
The USS Hatteras raided Cedar Key in January 1862, burning several ships loaded with cotton and turpentine and destroying the railroad's rolling stock and buildings on Way Key. Most of the Confederate troops guarding Cedar Key had been sent to Fernandina in anticipation of a Federal attack there. Cedar Key was an important source of salt for the Confederacy during the early part of the war. In October 1862, a Union raid destroyed sixty kettles on Salt Key capable of producing 150 bushels of salt a day. The Union occupied the Cedar Keys in early 1864, staying for the remainder of the war.[26][27]
In 1865, the
Early in his career as a naturalist, John Muir walked 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from Louisville, Kentucky, to Cedar Key in just two months in 1867. Muir contracted malaria while working in a sawmill in Cedar Key, and recovered in the house of the mill's superintendent. Muir recovered enough to sail from Cedar Key to Cuba in January 1868. He recorded his impressions of Cedar Key in his memoir A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf, published in 1916, after his death.[28]
Decline and restoration of wildlife
When
The
At the start of the 20th century, fishing, sponge hooking, and oystering had become the major industries, but around 1909, the oyster beds were exhausted. President
Present
The old-fashioned fishing village is now a tourist center with several regionally famous seafood restaurants. The village holds two festivals a year, the Spring Sidewalk Art Festival and the Fall Seafood Festival, that each attract thousands of visitors to the area.
In 1950, Hurricane Easy, a category-3 storm with 125-mile-per-hour (201 km/h) winds, looped around Cedar Key three times before finally making landfall, dumping 38 inches (970 mm) of rain and destroying two-thirds of the homes. The storm came ashore at low tide, so the surge was only 5 feet (1.5 m).[32]
Hurricane Elena followed a similar path in 1985, but did not make landfall. Packing 115-mile-per-hour (185 km/h) winds, the storm churned for two days in the Gulf, 50 miles (80 km) to the west, battering the waterfront. All the businesses and restaurants on Dock Street were either damaged or destroyed, and a section of the seawall collapsed.[32]
After a statewide ban on large-scale net fishing went into effect July 1, 1995, a government retraining program helped many local fishermen begin farming clams in the muddy waters. Today, Cedar Key's clam-based aquaculture is a multimillion-dollar industry.
A local museum exhibit displays a reproduction of one of the first air conditioning installations. The system, with compressor and fans, was used in Cedar Key to ease the lot of malaria patients.
Cedar Key is home to the George T. Lewis Airport (CDK).
Hurricane Eta made one of its two landfalls in Florida at about 4 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2020, near Cedar Key, as a tropical storm.[34]
On August 30, 2023, Hurricane Idalia, a category-3 storm caused significant damage to Cedar Key as it headed towards the Big Bend of Florida. Although, not a direct hit, heavy rains, winds, and storm surge levels reaching a record 6.8 feet (2.1 m), and the storm surge water level was at 8.9 feet (2.7 m).[35]
National historic status
Cedar Keys Historic and Archaeological District | |
Location | Cedar Key, Florida |
---|---|
Coordinates | 29°08′44″N 83°02′30″W / 29.14556°N 83.04167°W |
NRHP reference No. | 88001449 |
Added to NRHP | October 3, 1989[36] |
Cedar Key's importance in Florida's history, which began as far back as 1000 BC with
The Cedar Key Museum State Park depicts the town's 19th century history and displays sea shells and Indian artifacts from the collection of Saint Clair Whitman. Tours of Whitman's restored 1920s house are available during museum hours. As the museum photo indicates, the building was constructed to withstand the hurricane conditions that the town is subjected to periodically.[37]
The naturalist
The John Muir historic marker was placed on the museum grounds in 1983, commemorating his visit.[38]
Geography
The exact coordinates for the City of Cedar Key is located at 29°08′44″N 83°02′30″W / 29.145558°N 83.041544°W.[39]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.5 km2), of which 0.97 square miles (2.5 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.0 km2), or 54.28%, is water.[40]
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the City of Cedar Key has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
Climate data for Cedar Key 1 WSW, Florida, 1907–1976 normals and extremes | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 84 (29) |
85 (29) |
89 (32) |
90 (32) |
98 (37) |
100 (38) |
102 (39) |
99 (37) |
103 (39) |
99 (37) |
92 (33) |
86 (30) |
103 (39) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 66.6 (19.2) |
67.6 (19.8) |
72.2 (22.3) |
78.8 (26.0) |
84.8 (29.3) |
88.9 (31.6) |
89.5 (31.9) |
89.9 (32.2) |
88.8 (31.6) |
83.2 (28.4) |
74.6 (23.7) |
67.7 (19.8) |
79.4 (26.3) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 57.6 (14.2) |
59.0 (15.0) |
63.7 (17.6) |
70.6 (21.4) |
76.7 (24.8) |
81.4 (27.4) |
82.4 (28.0) |
82.5 (28.1) |
80.9 (27.2) |
74.1 (23.4) |
65.1 (18.4) |
58.9 (14.9) |
71.1 (21.7) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 48.8 (9.3) |
50.4 (10.2) |
55.2 (12.9) |
62.2 (16.8) |
68.7 (20.4) |
73.9 (23.3) |
75.4 (24.1) |
75.2 (24.0) |
73.0 (22.8) |
65.0 (18.3) |
55.7 (13.2) |
50.1 (10.1) |
62.8 (17.1) |
Record low °F (°C) | 8 (−13) |
20 (−7) |
23 (−5) |
37 (3) |
47 (8) |
58 (14) |
62 (17) |
64 (18) |
51 (11) |
38 (3) |
25 (−4) |
15 (−9) |
8 (−13) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.70 (69) |
2.84 (72) |
3.19 (81) |
2.46 (62) |
2.30 (58) |
4.32 (110) |
7.64 (194) |
7.78 (198) |
5.82 (148) |
2.75 (70) |
1.62 (41) |
2.66 (68) |
46.07 (1,170) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 69 |
Source: WRCC[41] |
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 440 | — | |
1900 | 739 | — | |
1910 | 864 | 16.9% | |
1920 | 695 | −19.6% | |
1930 | 1,066 | 53.4% | |
1940 | 988 | −7.3% | |
1950 | 900 | −8.9% | |
1960 | 668 | −25.8% | |
1970 | 714 | 6.9% | |
1980 | 700 | −2.0% | |
1990 | 668 | −4.6% | |
2000 | 790 | 18.3% | |
2010 | 702 | −11.1% | |
2020 | 687 | −2.1% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[42] |
2010 and 2020 census
Race | Pop 2010[43] | Pop 2020[44] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White (NH)
|
678 | 618 | 96.58% | 89.96% |
Black or African American (NH)
|
9 | 13 | 1.28% | 1.89% |
Alaska Native (NH)
|
1 | 4 | 0.14% | 0.58% |
Asian (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Native Hawaiian (NH)
|
0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Some other race (NH)
|
0 | 4 | 0.00% | 0.58% |
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 4 | 18 | 0.57% | 2.62% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10 | 30 | 1.42% | 4.37% |
Total | 702 | 687 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 687 people, 316 households, and 218 families residing in the city.[45]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 702 people, 253 households, and 150 families residing in the city.[46]
2000 census
As of the
In 2000, there were 411 households, out of which 14.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.42.
In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 13.2% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 15.6% from 25 to 44, 40.1% from 45 to 64, and 26.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $32,232, and the median income for a family was $41,190. Males had a median income of $27,375 versus $31,806 for females. The
Education
School Board of Levy County operates a K–12 school, Cedar Key School.
Library
Levy County provides Cedar Key with a local library branch. The Cedar Key Public Library is in the renovated, historic Schlemmer Rooming House.[47]
Notable people
- W. Randolph Hodges - former President of the Florida Senate
- Gene Hodges - former member of the Florida House of Representatives
See also
References
- ^ a b McCarthy 2006, pp. 7–9.
- ^ a b Mahon 1985, pp. 315–7.
- ^ a b c McCarthy 2006, pp. 8–10, 15.
- ^ a b McCarthy 2006, pp. 29–30.
- ^ "FLORIDA CITIES BY INCORPORATION YEAR WITH INCORPORATION & DISSOLUTION INFO" (PDF). www.flcities.com.
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "The Cedar Keys: Pencils, Lumber, Palm Fiber and Brushes". Florida Historical Markers Program. Div. Hist. Resources, Dept. of State, Florida. Retrieved July 27, 2008.
- ^ "About Cedar Key – City of Cedar Key". cityofcedarkey.org. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ McCarthy 2006, pp. 2–4.
- ^ McCarthy 1990, pp. 102–3.
- ^ Fishburne 1993, p. 7.
- ^ Fishburne 1993, pp. 8–9.
- ^ Fishburne 1993, pp. 14, 17.
- ^ a b Mahon 1985, p. 279.
- ^ Fishburne 1993, p. 23.
- ^ Fishburne 1993, p. 21.
- ^ McCarthy 2006, pp. 13, 16, 22.
- ^ McCarthy 2006, pp. 103–4.
- ^ Turner 2003, p. 31.
- ^ McCarthy 2006, pp. 17–18, 22.
- ^ a b "Correspondent of the Daily Morning News". gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ^ "The schooners captured off Cedar Keys". Newspapers.com. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
- ^ McCarthy 2006, pp. 24–5.
- ^ Turner 2003, p. 34.
- ^ McCarthy 2006, p. 28.
- ^ Fishburne 1993, pp. 138, 150.
- ^ "Cedar Keys's Crazy Mayor" (PDF). The New York Times. May 15, 1890.
- ^ Wells, William R. II (April 2002). "Crisis at Cedar Keys". Naval History Magazine. Vol. 16, no. 2 – via www.cedarkeynews.com.
- ^ a b c "Cedar key's history with tropical systems". hurricancity.com.
- ^ Bansemer, Roger. "Cedar Key Lighthouse as Seashorse Key". www.bansemer.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017.
- ^ Callaway, Jackie (November 16, 2020). "Storm damage estimate tops $1 billion for Florida after Tropical Storm Eta". ABC Action News. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ "Hurricane Idalia forecast to become extremely dangerous Category 4 storm". August 30, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ "National Register Information System – Cedar Keys Historic and Archaeological District (#88001449)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- Florida State Parks. Archived from the originalon June 5, 2012.
- ^ Florida State Parks. 2010. Archived from the originalon December 19, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". US Census Bureau. December 22, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Cedar Key city, Florida". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
- ^ "CEDAR KEY 1 WSW, FLORIDA (081432)". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Cedar Key city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Cedar Key city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Cedar Key city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Cedar Key city, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "View of the Schlemmer Rooming House on 2nd Street in Cedar Key, Florida". Florida Memory: State Library and Archives of Florida. Div. Lib. & Inf. Services, Dept. of State, Florida. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
Bibliography
- Fishburne, Charles C. (1993). The Cedar Keys in the 19th century. Cedar Key, Florida: Sea Hawk Publications.
- Mahon, John K. (1985). History of the Second Seminole War: 1835-1842. University of Florida Press. ISBN 0-8130-1097-7.
- McCarthy, Kevin M. (1990). Florida Lighthouses. Paintings by William L. Trotter. University of Florida Press. ISBN 0-8130-0993-6.
- McCarthy, Kevin M. (2006). Cedar Key, Florida: An Illustrated History. Photographs by Lindon Lindsay. Gainesville, Florida: Nature Coast Publishing House. ISBN 978-1-4276-0897-0.
- Turner, Gregg (2003). A Short History of Florida Railroads. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-7385-2421-2.
Further reading
- Oickle, Alvin F. (2009). The Cedar Keys Hurricane of 1896. Charleston: History Press. ISBN 978-1-59629-612-1.
External links
- "Official Website for the City of Cedar Key".
- "Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce".
- "70 photos of the Cedar Keys Historic and Archaeological District". National Park Service. 1989. From the application for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
- "Levy County listings". Archived from the original on March 26, 2006. At "Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs".
- "Cedar Key Airport".