The Southernmost Point, Key West (must see)

Just a few blocks from Duval Street, at the intersection of South Street and Whitehead Street, is a painted concrete buoy – 12 feet tall and 7 feet wide. This landmark indicates the southernmost point in the continental United States, as well as the southernmost point of the island chain that makes up the Florida Keys.

Originally, the place was marked with a simple sign, which often got stolen. In response to this, by 1983, the city authorities erected the now famous concrete structure. Its location is only about 90 miles from Cuba, and the proximity of the island nation is part of what makes the Southernmost Point Buoy such an iconic symbol of Key West.

The buoy is effectively an old sewer junction that was dug up in the area and found too heavy and large to move, so they decided to paint it up to look like a buoy.

The current text on it, reading "The Conch Republic. 90 Miles to Cuba, Southernmost Point Continental U.S.A., Key West, F.L., Home of the Sunset", dates back to 2011. The phrases "90 miles to Cuba" and "Home of the Sunset" were added in 1986. Previously, the line "90 miles to Cuba" was written on a smaller sign on the fence nearby. Also next to the buoy, there was a script "America Begins" painted on a curb below the “90 miles to Cuba” sign.

The buoy paint job was done by local painter-artist Danny Acosta; the city hired him again to paint the buoy after it was damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Just a little east of the marker is a small cement structure. This is a former telegraph hut that used to house an underwater telephone cable that connected Key West to Havana in 1921.

Tip:
Considering this is a favorite spot for taking photographs, it is always crowded during the day, so be prepared to queue up for about 30-40 minutes for the photo op. If you don't like crowds, you can come early in the morning and admire the unforgettable view of the sun rising from the Atlantic.