Why Is History Important?

Just before the GreenFlash in March

People often say that I should write a book, because I know so much history of the Upper Florida Keys…. I remember when Carys Fort Reef was a vibrant living reef with Elkhorn Coral that would break the surface at low tide. And I remember the day I cried bitter tears for it , as my little brother and I snorkeled on the remnants – white and broken as bones…

And in fact I am writing a book, and it’s currently a work in progress (now in editing).

This blog is the ramblings of my thoughts about the sublime life , the life I live here now.

For the most part, I feel that people who come here may be interested in the fact that the Keys were settled originally by “clans of families”. Most of whom were escaping to, or from somewhere else! The same is said even today, that most people who settle here are escaping big city life, or coming to retire from someplace cold.

The Albury clan has been here on and off for over 100 years, and came here primarily as “Tories”. There is still a clan of Alburys in the Chesepeake Bay, on a lone island solely unto themselves to this day. Other sects of the clan brought their homes, brick by brick to the Bahamas to escape the new America of which they were not welcome ,being British loyalists. When their crops failed, and their homes fell dust to the salt air, they came bit by bit – clan by clan to the Keys with the promise of work (on the railroad) , and of course fishing and plunder which they already knew.  The Albury clans in the Upper Keys are most related to : the Lowes, The Saunders, the Pinders , and the Parkers. On the Bahamas, they would send their children to neighboring islands to meet other clans in hope of marriage, to someone NOT related to them! And so it goes;)

Many died in the no name storm, and my Alburys great, great, great, grandmother, Niomi, was burried back in the day on Cheeca beach. I do not know if her remains are still there, after all the development of that area. The Alburys were mostly fisherman, gardners and pirates. The Pinders were known boatbuilders, and the homes they built from the Bahamas to The Keys were as solid as the boats they built. In fact one was on the cover of a national magazine after a hurricane dislodged it from its foundation. It was floating sweet as you please in Marsh Harbor. The Saunders were known for precise excavation and later, heavy equipment. Big burly men, who towed many a line for Flaglers railroad back in the day. The Lowes kept to themselves, their women were black haired and blue eyed. The Parkers were Rum runners out to Elliot Key and on to the Miami river.  The Rum they smuggeled left for all parts North during Prohibition. Today,they also have a supurb boat that is built in the Bahamas, and a street that bears their name in Islamorada proper.

So why is it so important to remember these things? Sure, it’s great for the storytelling at my favorite Pub. The things I have seen and the things I know about the old families here will surely fill my book. But really, it’s about preserving what is left. The fragile reefs ,sea grass beds, and mangrove estuaries continue to suffer under the onslought of 4 engined go-fast boats. The run off from those magnificent estates, elite golf courses, and Nuclear power plant are killing the reef. And it’s all getting swept north by the gulfstream, to our neighbors, and ruining the very lifestyle we all are here to enjoy.

So I hope that you will raise a glass! Slow down and just see the sunset. In March you may even glimpse the green flash! And, remember why YOU came here, and don’t try to be sassy about changing us into where you escaped from…live real, live sublime. You might just like it.