Visit Cedar Key, Florida and Take a Step Back in Time

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Written by Jimmie Burroughs Email this article to a friend

If you enjoy seeing places that are unique, then you need to read this article about just that sort of place. If you enjoy seeing how people lived around the turn of the 20th century along Florida’s west coast, there is no better place than Cedar Key, Florida.

There are few places in the United States that truly give the feeling of taking a step back in time like Cedar Key, Florida. Cedar Key is a small island community of around 7,000 permanent residents. Most think Cedar Key is one of the Florida Keys, but actually it is on the Gulf side of Florida, north of Tampa and near the mouth of the Suwannee River. It lies at the very end of Florida State highway 24, which is the only way in by road. It sets about three miles out in the Gulf and is part of a group of 11 islands, which are mostly government reserves. Access to the island is by a land bridge, built in the eighteen hundreds, and a few concrete bridges.

There is evidence of habitation of the island dating back to the time before Christ. Up until modern times, Native Indians occupied the area. The town of Cedar Key was originally established on the island now called Oceania Ottie, which is only approachable by boat.  A hurricane devastated the island in 1896, killing over a 100 people. The storm surge was 15 feet. Some survived the storm by going to the upper stories of their houses, which were located on the higher part of the island.

After the storm, over time, the survivors migrated to what is today Cedar Key. Some of the houses were dismantled and moved by barge and reconstructed on the new location. A self-guided tour of the Oceana Ottie is part of the island tour available year around. Today, Oceana Ottie is heavily covered with vegetation, but there is a trail that is maintained thru the middle of the island that leads to the island cemetery where the grave markers only date to 1896. Other than a cemetery, the only thing remaining on the island is some foundations and a cistern.

Many of the buildings that make up Second Street, which is the main street of Cedar key, were built in the 1800s and early 1900s. The oldest is the island Hotel, which was built in 1858. Many buildings on the island are on the National Historical Registry.

A walk down Second Street can give a feeling of how people lived around the turn of the twentieth century. If you took away the paved streets and installed hitching posts, it would be very near what it was then. All you need to tour the island is a bicycle or a Golf Cart. Golf Carts are available for rental by the hour or day.

There is also a white sandy stretch of beach for sun bathing and swimming. The waters in this area are designated as the highest in nutrients and therefore excellent for clam farming which is a multi-million dollar industry in the waters around Cedar Key. The nutrients give the water a cloudy look, unlike the clear water down below Tampa.

Cedar Key had its start as a shipping port. The first Trans Florida Railroad terminated here back in the 1800s. It connected the East Coast of Florida with the West coast. Later when Tampa became the primary shipping port on the West coast of Florida, the railroad discontinued service to Cedar Key, and the rails were removed. Today all that remains is some of the roadbed and the remains of trestles.

The newly built fishing pier is located at the original terminus of the railroad and is dedicated to its memory. It is one of the best fishing piers in Florida, constructed of concrete and metal. The fishing is usually good. At times, fishing for sheep head from the pier is excellent, depending on the water and weather conditions. Sheep Head prefer the cooler times.

Fishing boats of all sizes are available for rent, and there are regular tours by boat to the exterior islands. The area around Cedar Key is a roosting area for the white Pelican, rarely seen except in their roosting area. They do not come in where people are. They are the second largest bird in the United States, second to the Condor. Some have as much as a 9-foot wingspan and a sighting of them is included in the island tous.

Cedar Key, because of its remoteness from other cities and towns, is one of the darkest places in the United States. The first time I visited there, I walked out in the night, gazed up at the sky, and gasped at the number of stars. I had never before seen so many stars. I have looked for nights like that since but never have seen one that matches it, though on any clear night when the moon is not visible there is a beautiful display of stars.

The original Dock Street in Cedar Key, where the railroad once loaded and unloaded, has Seafood restaurants and novelty shops built on piers out over the ocean. The view of the Gulf from the restaurants is remarkable. It is the busiest part of the town. This is a favorite area for motorcyclists. There are usually lines of them parked along Dock Street.

Cedar Key is a quiet little area, unknown to many and is low key as far as tourist. There are several Condominiums and motels on the Island as well as the Island Hotel. There is only one gas station there, and the price of gas is higher. There are no fast food chain restaurants, no pharmacy, only a small grocery, and a couple mina marts.

A casual stroll at night along Dock Street and down second street is about as safe as anywhere I have been. The crime rate here is comparable to Andy’s Mayberry.

There are two museums, one downtown and one near the small island airport. The airport will accommodate small corporate jets; I have noticed one coming in for a landing. Scenic airplane trips are also available.

Winter months are the high seasonal times. Actually, there is little going on at any time. I like it for that reason. Some who come here are unimpressed. I can understand if they come here expecting the same as the highly developed tourists areas on the East Coast of Florida and South Florida. As I said in the beginning of the article, it is a step back in time because it is undeveloped. It is very plain and has an old rundown look. It is what you would expect if you were actually taking a step back in time. It comes out of a fishing village background and still has that sort of appearance.

If you plan a trip to Cedar Key, there is a good deal of information available online concerning lodging and restaurants.

About the author: Jimmie Burroughs is a motivational speaker and author who has been involved in teaching Christian Personal Development for more than 30 years. There are hundreds of articles to help you on this website (Website Contents) in your personal growth.

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