A clustor of seven tiny, uninhabited coral reef islands located about 70 miles west of Key West, in the Gulf of Mexico. These islands are the crowded home to thousands of nesting and migrating sea birds. President Theodore Roosevelt declared the area a wildlife refuge in 1908 to protect the birds. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt upgraded it to national monument status. Finally Congress awarded national park status in 1992. The most prominent feature on the islands is Fort Jefferson, started in 1846 as a chain of seacoast defenses it was never really finished and never was battle. It served as a federal military prison during and after the US Civil War. Its most famous prisoner was Dr. Samuel Mudd, the physician who set the broken leg of President Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. He spent four years here, but his work on behalf of victims of a yellow fever epidemic earned him a reduction of his life sentence.
Location:
PO Box 279, Homestead Florida 33030
Telephone
305-242-7800
(Ochopee) Big Cypress National Preserve
(Homestead) Biscayne National Park
(Homestead) Chekika-Everglades National Park
(Homestead) Ernest Coe Visitor Ctr-Everglades Park
(Homestead) Everglades National Park
(Homestead) Royal Palm Visitor Ctr-Everglades Park
|
06/09 Coming to The Homestead area
Delray Beach Affair Delray Beach FL April5-7 The event takes place along the palm tree lined downtown streets of Delray Beach and stretches 12 city blocks from the Intracoastal to NW 2nd Avenue and two city parks. The Delray Affair has received numerous awards for its ‘eclectic’ mixture of fine art, great crafts and funky products from around the world.
Peace River Celtic Festival Punta Gorda FL April10 Our Festival is perpetually dedicated to the memory of David Parker, member of Elks Lodge 2606 and the founder of the Peace River Celtic Festival. David loved Celtic music, laughter, good friendship and good times! If you cherish these things as well, you'll want to be part of this special event!
Bike Night in Cape Coral Cape Coral FL April13 The City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation is proud to bring you Cape Bike Night! Motorcycle enthusiasts can get together and listen to live bands, eat great food, and just have fun at this great event!
Florida Keys Island Fest Islamorada FL April13-14 The Arts and Crafts show will feature the very best of both local and national artists including everything from paintings and sculptures to jewelry and fine crafts.
Tortuga Music Festival FORT LAUDERDALE FL April13-14 The beach will be transformed into an oceanfront music experience, featuring top country and rock artists and local culinary delights on the shores of the Florida coast. Together with Rock The Ocean, Tortuga will pair music with meaning by raising awareness about marine conservation and issues affecting the world’s oceans.
Cardboard Boat Regatta Cape Coral FL April20 The Regatta is open to participation from businesses, schools, youth groups, groups of friends, and non-profit organizations desiring to build a boat and participate. This is a wonderful team-building experience; giving employees an opportunity to work together toward a common goal and have a lot of fun doing it.
|
|