Indian Key Historic State Park

Indian Key Historic State Park Review

Mystery surrounds 10-acre Indian Key, on the ocean side of the Matecumbe islands. Before it became one of the first European settlements outside of Key West, it was inhabited by American Indians for several thousand years. The islet served as a base for 19th-century shipwreck salvagers until an Indian attack wiped out the settlement in 1840. Dr. Henry Perrine, a noted botanist, was killed in the raid. Today his plants grow in the town's ruins. Most people kayak or canoe here from Indian Key Fill or Robbie's Marina (about 20 min away by paddle) to tour the nature trails and the town ruins or to snorkel. There are no restrooms or picnic facilities on Indian Key.