Cedar Key Map

Description:

Description:

Description: This map shows where Cedar Key is located in Florida.

Cedar Key is a small island located in the Gulf of Mexico off the northwest coast of Florida. It is part of a cluster of islands known as the Cedar Keys, which form a barrier island chain. The island spans approximately 2 square miles (5.6 sq km) and is situated about 50 miles southwest of Gainesville, Florida. Cedar Key is connected to the mainland by State Road 24 via a series of small bridges crossing other islands in the chain.

The island has a rich historical background dating back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that Native Americans inhabited the area as early as 500 BCE. European settlement began in the early 19th century, and by the 1850s, Cedar Key had become an important port and railroad terminus. The island played a significant role during the Civil War, serving as a supply point for the Confederate Army until Union forces captured it in 1862. After the war, Cedar Key developed into a major commercial fishing and timber export center. The island's economy was particularly driven by pencil manufacturing, utilizing local cedar trees, until resources became depleted in the early 20th century.

Today, Cedar Key has a small permanent population of approximately 700 residents. The primary settlement on the island is the City of Cedar Key, which maintains a quaint, old Florida atmosphere with its historic downtown area. The economy now relies heavily on tourism, aquaculture (particularly clam farming), and commercial fishing. The island is known for its relaxed pace of life and lack of commercial development compared to many other Florida coastal communities.

Visitors to Cedar Key can explore several notable attractions including the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum, which documents the island's past through artifacts and exhibits, and the Cedar Key Museum State Park, showcasing the area's natural and cultural history. The Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1929, encompasses several of the outer islands and provides crucial habitat for numerous bird species, including pelicans, herons, and the endangered white ibis.

Cedar Key Beach offers swimming and sunbathing opportunities, though it differs from typical Florida beaches with its natural, less manicured appearance. The island is particularly renowned for its spectacular sunsets, bird watching opportunities, and kayaking through the surrounding salt marshes and mangrove islands. Annual events drawing visitors include the Cedar Key Arts Festival in April and the Seafood Festival in October, celebrating the island's maritime heritage and locally harvested seafood, especially clams and oysters.

The island experiences a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Hurricane vulnerability remains a significant concern, with several major storms having impacted the island throughout its recorded history.