What weighs over 20 tons, is purple, yellow and black, is iconic to Key West, and might be gone for over a 12 months? If you happen to guessed the Southernmost Buoy, you understand your trivia!
The buoy as we all know it now, was put in in 1983, by the Metropolis of Key West and has survived numerous storms, hurricanes and vandalism. The unique markers had been nothing extra that picket signal, marking the southernmost level. Making them the right unlawful memento of many visits to Key West.
Photograph Credit score: Â Flip Schulke, Public area, through Wikimedia Commons
Some fascinating info in regards to the “Southernmost Level” is that the present location is definitely the bottom latitude, within the contiguous North American states. However, for those who go simply subsequent door the neighboring property, owned and maintained by the US Navy, that is the place you may truly discover the precise southern most level “ON” Key West. BUT, for those who journey about 10 miles away from Key West, you may come to a small privately owned island, Ballast Key. That is the precise location of the southernmost level, within the continental U.S. Are you confused but? Need extra? The inscription on the buoy, claims that it is solely 90 miles to Cuba, when it is truly 94 miles! Guess that it is simpler to color a zero, than a 4!
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Photograph Credit score: Courtesy of the Metropolis of Key West
Regardless of enduring hurricane after hurricane—and even a Christmas tree gone up in flames beside it—the 20-ton monument has seen its justifiable share of recent paint and repairs through the years. However beginning in September 2025, this iconic image of Key West might be briefly taken down. As a substitute, a troublesome little stand-in will seem at Duval Pocket Park, simply across the nook, holding the spot till the unique returns.
Why the transfer? Whereas the buoy itself is pretty indestructible, the encompassing seawall and the precise platform, it sits upon, wants some TLC. So, between now and someday late 2026, the present location might be closed in order that these wanted enhancements may be made. Thus making certain a steady base and residential to our beloved concrete marker will climate many extra storms.