KEY WEST. A city, port of entry, and the county-seat of Monroe County, Fla., 90 miles north by east of Havana, Cuba (Map: Florida, C 5). It is at the southern extremity of the United States, on Key West Island, the most westerly of the group of Florida Keys. The fine deep harbor is defended by Fort Taylor, situated on an artificial island at the main entrance. Im proved fortifications have recently been con structed at a cost of $1,000,000. There are two lighthouses, affording a safe guide to the harbor. The city is on the line of a number of steamship routes to American and West Indian ports, and railroad connections for the north are made at Port Tampa and Miami. It is a beauti ful place, with broad streets, attractive houses, and tropical gardens, and its pure air and mild climate have made it a popular winter and health resort. Key West is an important United States naval station, with machine-shops, dock, marine railway, marine hospital, barracks, etc. Among other features of interest are the county court house and park, United States custom-house and post-office, city hall, a convent, a Methodist semi nary, a public library, and the Eastern and West ern Martello towers. The leading industry is
the manufacture of cigars, which is very exten sive, and is carried on mostly by Cubans. Sponge fishing is also of importance, and the frequent shipwrecks on the islands offer opportunity for a profitable wrecking business. There is a con siderable trade in cigars, sponges, turtles, fish, salt, fruit, vegetables, etc. The annual value of the commerce is about $1,900,000, of which $550, 000 is in imports. Under a charter of 1S93 the government is vested in a mayor, annually elect ed, and a council. 'the water-works are owned and operated by the municipality. Key West was settled in 1822, and though unimportant for many years, it was in 1890 the largest city in the State, and now ranks third, Jacksonville and Pensacola leading. It was chartered as a city in 1832. Key West became of great importance to the Federal Government during the Civil War, and in the war with Spain in 1898 was the rendezvous of the North Atlantic Squadron of the United States Navy. Population. in 1890, 1S,080; in 1900, 17,114.