Old Historic Florida: What is Cedar Key Known For?

Old Historic Florida: What is Cedar Key Known For?

Well off the beaten path roughly 25 miles west of US 19, at the end of State Road 24, lies the quaint coastal town of Cedar Key. Known for its abundant seafood supply, Old Historic Florida Charm, and time seemingly standing still in history.

Cedar Key’s Beginnings

Cedar Key was settled in the early 1840s and the completed Florida Railroad connected Cedar Key to Fernandina in the 1860s. Highway 24 parallels the former railroad line. The railroad served to move cargo between the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic, to allow large cargo ships to avoid the treacherous waters of the Florida Straits, and cut nearly 800 miles off of the sailing voyage.

A devastating hurricane destroyed the town and docks in 1896. By the end of the 1920s, President Hoover established the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge, encompassing more than 750 acres of wilderness.

The Seafood Industry in Cedar Key

After the statewide large fishing net ban in 1995, a governmental program helped train the local fishermen to farm clams in the waters of Cedar Key. Today, the aquaculture is a multi-million dollar industry. Among the freshest clams and oysters from the area, shrimp, grouper and other fishes are popular dishes.

Cedar Key Artists

Cedar Key attracts a lot of artists and writers for the simple, distraction-free, community. Island Arts Gallery, on Dock Street, is home to 20+ local artists, showcasing their works of art. Painting on canvas, fused glass, and woodworking are a few of the mediums you’ll find, here. It’s easy to understand how a creator can find inspiration in this town.

The picture of the sealife, below, is of some of my mom’s fused glass artwork. She is a resident artist at the Island Arts Gallery and works at the shop on Wednesdays. Stop in and say HI and buy some beautiful, one-of-a-kind art. She makes custom orders and ships all over! (end shameless plug!)

Birding in Cedar Key

Thanks to the wildlife refuge, people come from all over the world to watch the birds. Dozens of migratory bird species fly from all parts to seek refuge in this unspoiled coastline. Some of the best birding can be done by boat, but also the many walking trails will offer great opportunities to see the birds.

Use this map to book your accommodations in Cedar Key

Kayaking Around Cedar Key

Cedar Key is known for great kayaking. The most popular route is out to Astena Otie Key, which was the original town of Cedar Key but was destroyed by the hurricane in 1896. It’s now a ghost town with some ruins from years past. There are a few kayak launches and rental outfits available in the area.

Cedar Key Airport

The Cedar Key Airport is a popular airfield for aviation enthusiasts, with local pilots offering airplane rides for a beautiful aerial view of this natural coastline.

Bars and Nightlife

While there is not much nightlife to speak of, there are plenty of ‘watering holes’ around to hang with the locals or meet folks that are visiting the area for the first time. My mom and I recently stopped at Tiki Bar and enjoyed chatting with folks that were reminiscing about long-ago visits to Cedar Key.

Breakin’ It Down – Old Historic Florida: What is Cedar Key Known For?

Cedar Key is not somewhere that you pass through because Florida State Road 24 ends in this Old Historic town. You’ll have some of the freshest seafood, encounter amazing wildlife sightings, and meet the friendliest locals in Cedar Key. The art galleries and kayaking are some of the best in the state.