The Conch Republic Secedes from U.S. in 1982

You gotta love it.  They warned'em. One of the more interesting stories in the history of Key West is when they seceded from the United States in 1982.  An interesting story about how a very small group of people stood up to their government in a tongue in cheek sort of way but actually seceded from the United States.  In doing so, they got their point across to the Reagan administration and life went on in the Keys as it should be.

It is this sort of free thinking spirit that makes Key West and the Florida Keys a special place.  The following is a blog that I wrote on December 5, 2012:


THE LAST TO SECEDE FROM THE U.S.: THE CONCH REPUBLIC

This past June, I had the pleasure of visiting Key West, FL, the last place to secede from the United States.  As I stepped off the airplane and on to the runway, I looked at the big block lettering near the top of the exterior airport wall, "Welcome to the Conch Republic".

Of course everyone is familiar with the Confederate States of America and their secession from the United States but many are not familiar with the Key West secession.  The following is a brief description of the Key West secession from a blog by Rob Lammie titled, 8 Secessionist Movements in the American History:  

In the early-1980s, the U.S. Border Patrol set up a checkpoint at the entrance to the Florida Keys in an effort to stop illegal drugs and immigrants. The time to check everyone’s identification at the checkpoint resulted in a 20-mile traffic jam that turned tourists away, thus damaging the economy in the Keys. After numerous legal attempts to have the checkpoint removed, on April 23, 1982, Key West mayor Dennis Wardlow declared the Florida Keys were seceding from the Union.

Moments later, now-Prime Minister Wardlow symbolically declared war on the U.S. by breaking a stale piece of Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform. One minute later, Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the U.S. Naval Base at Key West and surrendered, thus ending the Conch Republic’s Civil Rebellion. He then immediately asked for $1 billion in federal aid to help rebuild his war-torn nation’s economy. While officially the Republic only existed for one minute, the tongue-in-cheek spirit of the rebellion lives on. Today you can buy Conch Republic citizen and diplomatic passports (both of which have been used for international travel, though they are not intended to be official documents) and even an official flag of the republic. 

The secession was successful and the Border Patrol ceased having checkpoints on Hwy 1.  As the Conch Republic motto's states, "We seceded where others failed".


**I am an avid tourist of Key West, FL. The purpose of my blog, Southernmost Point, is to give an honest observation from a tourist perspective, not a "Chamber of Commerce" or merchant's perspective. I will give honest and helpful information.

Margaritaville Resort and Marina: Your Access to Sunset Key

A while back, my wife and I discovered a wonderful, isolated tropical location right here in the United States: Key West, FL.  The island which is just over a mile wide is great for walking/strolling.  On many evenings, we would make our way down to Mallory Square, a large public plaza along the waterfront facing west.  It is here that much of the island will come to watch the sunset each evening.  Just off the coastline is a very small Key known as Sunset Key.  This small twenty-seven acre Key is aptly named as it is generally behind this Key where the sun sets.

Sunset Key, the area with beach is Margaritaville's Sunset Key Cottages.

On this small Key are a handful of very upscale, expensive homes.  On seven acres of the Key, the Margaritaville Resort and Marina has a small number of cottages, some overlooking the water and others overlooking the pool.

The pool is set in among the palm trees and cottages right along the edge of the Key and was one of the most wonderful, relaxing pools that I have ever experienced.  Guests of the cottages have instant access to this pool simply by being guests there.  But what about the guests of the Margaritaville Resort over on Key West?  Can they take advantage of this wonderful place in this beautiful setting?   As it turns out they can!

Each day, the Margaritaville Resort allows travel by boat from the Margaritaville Marina to Sunset Key.  But, here is the catch.  Not everyone can go.  Only the first twenty guests of the Margaritaville Resort who sign up with the resort each morning are given an access pass to Sunset Key.  This pass gives you a boat ride to and from the Key and access to the pool, restaurant and small beach.  The water is beautifully clear!

REMEMBER:  The Resort begins to take names at 8AM.  It is smart to be there a little early to make sure you get your name on the list.  Most people staying at the resort know nothing about the ability to go to Sunset Key, so that is very much in your favor.

I highly recommend that if you stay at the Margaritaville Resort (formerly the Westin Key West Resort), then most certainly try to go to Sunset Key.  And, if you just happen to be staying in a cottage at the Sunset Key Cottages, then good for you!

IMPORTANT 2017 UPDATE:  As stated above, the Westin Key West Resort has been purchased by Margaritaville.  As would be expected, Westin points are not accepted by Margaritaville.  The Westin Sunset Key Resort is now Sunset Key Cottages and they operate with Margaritaville.

One other bit of advice related to Margaritaville: At 500 Duval Street, you will find Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Restaurant.  What initially appeared to me as another "gimmick" restaurant actually has a very good cheeseburger.  Just like the song, "Cheeseburger in Paradise". 

**I am an avid tourist of Key West, FL. The purpose of my blog, Southernmost Point, is to give an honest observation from a tourist perspective, not a "Chamber of Commerce" or merchant's perspective. I will give honest and helpful information.