Key Biscayne: A History of Miami's Tropical Island and the Cape Florida Lighthouse [Hardcover]

Joan Gill Blank (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996

Just south of Miami Beach lies the southernmost sand barrier island of the continental United States--Key Biscayne. Long the symbol of an idyllic, barefoot, island lifestyle, this swirl of sand, five miles long by a mile and a half wide, is the subject of this lucid history, which begins 4,000 years ago and continues through its discovery of Ponce de Leon, its use as a military and lighthouse reservation, the Seminole Wars, shipwreck salvaging, and its present function as public parkland and residential and high-rise condominium village. On Cape Florida, Key Biscayne's southern end, the Cape Florida Lighthouse, newly restored, stands watch as it has for over 170 years. Drawing from original documents, including many letters and pictures saved by descendents of settlers and lighthouse keepers, the author created a vivid portrait of this compelling Florida island.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 212 pages
• Publisher: Pineapple Press; 1st edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561640964
• ISBN-13: 978-1561640966
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #983,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars key biscayne by joan gill blank, March 26, 2005

By 

Glenn F. Howard (Key Largo, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Key Biscayne: A History of Miami's Tropical Island and the Cape Florida Lighthouse (Hardcover)

being a sixth generation south floridian and growing up in coconut grove, i had the pleasure of staying with the pent family (island caretakers) in the mathison lodge and exploring the island with my brother. this was before the causeway was

built. the island was reachable only by boat as it was for

centuries. i remember driving on the beach in a world war two

army jeep watching sea turtles nest without a care in the world. crawfish where abundant on the siltsville flats just to

the south and snappers where easily caught at the dock.

i bonded with this

beautiful island and found the history fasinating. it was

a real treat to know that general robert e. lee and general

george meade were stationed there as young leutinants assigned

to survey the florida keys and build lighthouses.

ms blank's research was extraordinay in detail and her writing

skills made reading her book a real pleasure. i consider this book a must read for historical buffs. glenn howard, key largo

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down, April 30, 2006

By 

Donald Robinson (Framingham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Key Biscayne: A History of Miami's Tropical Island and the Cape Florida Lighthouse (Florida's History Through Its Places) (Paperback)

My wife and I have our second home on Key Biscayne, and my wife bought the book for me as a present on our last visit. I was surprised how Ms Blanks story, pictures, and historical perspectives captivated me. I read it cover to cover and, having been raised in the Miami area, was truely taken by her story telling approach that took me back in time and affected my perspectives. I highly recommend her book.