365 Things To Do In The Florida Keys

Jewfish Creek Bridge Historical Marker!

Welcome to the historic Jewfish Creek Bridge! This is an important yet overlooked and forgotten part of the Florida Keys history being the FIRST major bridge you’ll reach in making your way down to Key West.

Over all the years there’s been three very different yet unique types of bridges spanning this waterway. The first was called a Swingspan bridge in 1907 to 1944 which I crossed countless times as a child with my parents in our family station wagon like Chevy Chase in the movie Vacation. The second called a Bascule bridge (draw bridge) was in service from 1944-2008 which I got stopped at many times as a child and adult. The current bridge was completed in 2008 and was built to last throughout mine and your lifetimes! Oh yeah, it’s more commonly known as the 18-Mile Stretch Bridge rather than Jewfish Creek Bridge.

You too can see this hard to find Jewfish Creek Bridge historical marker located under the bridge just in front of the Blackwater Siren restaurant. Go to Mile Marker 108.1 bayside and take the access road in the middle of the 18-mile stretch bridge and follow the road to its end.

Mellow Folk Welcome!

A greeting straight from the islands! It’s so laid back that it’s written in all lower case letters stating ‘mellow folk welcome’.

Island life is such a big part of the Florida Key’s mystique. Vacationers flock to the Keys in droves for a small sample of our laid back atmosphere, style & tradition. Here at this very tiny local watering hole across the street from a small trailer park you’ll find this great example of laid back expression seen hanging over its wooden arched gate. I love the Keys and its SLOW laid back pace of life, it’s just my style! :-)

You can find this ‘mellow folk welcome’ sign just before the legendary local favorite Hogfish Bar & Grill on Stock Island. Go to Mile Marker 5 oceanside off US-1 at the Burger King, down 1-block turning left onto McDonald Ave that turns into Maloney Ave, turn right onto 4th Ave, left on Front Street and there you will see it on the right about a 100 feet or so.