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Historic Key West Cemetery: Quirky, touching, and above the ground burials in Florida Keys
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Historic Key West Cemetery (c) Neala Schwartzberg
Everyone know the famous above the ground cemeteries of New Orleans. Their high water level makes it necessary to "bury" people above the ground or the graves would be flooded.
Key West Cemetery also has extensive system of graves above the ground, but the reason here has nothing to do with water levels (despite being barely above sea level). Key West is largely founded on coral, and about as easy to dig into as cement. In fact, one building in town is actually constructed of quarried coral.
The grave stones of the cemetery also give true meaning to the phrase "got in the final word." None sums that up better than the grave of Pearl Roberts (1929 - 1979) which reads "I told you I was sick."
Although usually portrayed as the comment of a hypochondriac it’s worth noting that Pear was only 50 years old when she died.
Another quite spiritual sentiment is carved into the head stone of Joe Martinez. It reads “God was good to me.”
Original Location The Historic Key West Cemetery wasn’t always located in the middle of the old town. It was originally on the southern edge of city, until the hurricane of 1846 blew it away, “...and the dead were scattered throughout the forest, many of them lodged n trees,” wrote Stephen Mallory - an attorney and port inspector.
"I told you I was sick" (c) Neala Schwartzberg
There is naval history here as well. Almost two dozen US Navy sailors were buried there in 1898 from the USS Maine. The ship exploded in the harbor of Havana, helping to precipitate the Spanish American War. Early reports had attributed the destruction to a mine planted beneath the ship.
However, recent investigators have suggested than alternative – spontaneous combustion of coal in the bunker next to the magazine (where ammunition is stored).
The 20 acres the comprise the cemetery harbor the remains of the families of Key West, regardless of race, and economic status, even extending to religion with areas for Jews and Catholics anchoring this historic cemetery. A reflection of the acceptance and diversity both during and after life.
Note: the coral cement of the city’s bedrock is far different from the fragile living coral of the reefs.
The Historic Florida Keys Foundation gives walking tours of the cemetery. Call them at 305-292-6718.
Learn more about visiting the Floriday Keys
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(c) Neala Schwartzberg, all rights reserved
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