Sugarloaf Key

Sugarloaf Key
Geography
A satellite image of Sugarloaf Key
Sugarloaf Key
Coordinates	24°37′41″N 81°30′50″W / 24.628°N 81.514°W / 24.628; -81.514Coordinates: 24°37′41″N 81°30′50″W / 24.628°N 81.514°W / 24.628; -81.514
Archipelago	Florida Keys
Administration
United States
State	Florida
County	Monroe

Sugarloaf Key is a single island in the lower Florida Keys that forms a loop on the Atlantic Ocean side giving the illusion of separate islands. Although frequently referred to simply and with technical accuracy as "Sugarloaf Key", this island contains two distinct island communities, known as Lower Sugarloaf Key and Upper Sugarloaf Key.

History

The name Sugarloaf, is variously attributed as arising from either an Indian mound on the east side of Upper Sugarloaf Key, north of the present highway was said to look like an old-fashioned loaf of sugar or from the variety of pineapple called "sugarloaf" that was once grown in the area.^[1] These pineapples are rarely in commercial use any longer since they are soft and do not travel well.

Geography

The island is somewhat "U"-shaped, with Upper Sugarloaf Sound and Park Key separating the island into Upper Sugarloaf Key and Lower Sugarloaf Key. So called, upper and lower, simply referencing the relative nature of their geographic positions, not as distinct islands. Lower Sugarloaf Key is located approximately 13 mi (21 km) from Key West, between Park Key and Saddlebunch Keys. Upper Sugarloaf Key is located about 15 mi (24 km) east of Key West, between Park Key and Cudjoe Key. While smaller in land area than Upper Sugarloaf Key, Lower Sugarloaf Key has a greater density of population.

Ecology

Plant species native to the island include buttonwood, poisonwood, sea grape and thatch palm.^[2] Of fauna, ibises are found on the island, and dolphins, parrotfish, snapper, barracuda and octopus can be seen in the local waters.^[2]

Community

Sugarloaf Key Bat Tower

Lower Sugarloaf Key has family owned Sugarloaf Lodge and restaurant, an airport, Sugarloaf Volunteer Fire Station, and Sugarloaf Key Bat Tower.

Upper Sugarloaf Key has two public schools, a church, restaurant, commercial offices, public campground and the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge.

Covering 14 acres (5.7 ha),^[3] Sugarloaf Key has the southernmost KOA campground in North America.^[4]

Transport

U.S. 1 (or the Overseas Highway) crosses Upper Sugarloaf Key at approximately mile markers 19–20.5 and Lower Sugarloaf Key at approximate mile markers 16.5–17.5.

Sugarloaf Key is already part of the Overseas Highway and will soon join other islands of the Florida Keys as part of the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail connecting mainland Florida to Key West via bicycle path(s).

References

↑ "The Good Family Welcomes You to Sugarloaf Lodge". Sugarloaf Lodge. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
1 2 Ehrenreich, Barbara (July 2009). "Sugarloaf Key, Florida: Keeping Good Company". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
↑ Farren 2003
↑ "Sugarloaf Key Resort KOA Kampground". Inside Florida. Retrieved 31 October 2016.

Sources

Farren, Rick (2003). Highroad Guide to the Florida Keys and Everglades. John F. Blair. ISBN 9780895872807. OCLC 947133946.

Horn, Jim (25 March 2007). "Sugarloaf Key's Historic resources" (PDF). Historic Florida Keys Foundation. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
"Sugarloaf Beach Ecological/Historical Conservation Project" (PDF). Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
Wilkinson, Jerry. "History of Sugarloaf Key". Keys Historeum. Retrieved 31 October 2016.

Florida Keys

Biscayne National Park	Soldier Ragged Boca Chita Sands Elliott Adams Caesar's Rock Meig's Rubicon Reid Porgy Totten Old Rhodes Islandia

Upper keys	Key Largo Island CDP North Tavernier Plantation Island former CDP Windley Upper Matecumbe Tea Table Indian Lignumvitae Lower Matecumbe Islamorada

Middle keys	Craig Fiesta Long Layton Conch Little Duck Key Island CDP Grassy Crawl Long Point Fat Deer Vaca Marathon Key Colony Beach Boot Knights

Lower keys	Pigeon Money Little Duck Missouri Ohio Sunshine Bahia Honda Spanish Harbor Scout (West Summerland) No Name Big Pine Torch Little Middle Big Ramrod Summerland Knockemdown Cudjoe Sugarloaf Park Lower Sugarloaf Saddlebunch Shark Geiger Big Coppitt Island CDP East Rockland Rockland Boca Chica Raccoon Stock Island Island CDP Key West Island City Sigsbee Fleming Sunset Wisteria

Outlying islands	Mule Keys Mule Crawfish Archer Joe Ingram Big Mullet Barracouta Cottrell Man Little Mullet Ballast Woman Boca Grande Marquesas Keys Dry Tortugas Tortugas Banks (submerged)

Areas	Florida Bay Dry Tortugas National Park Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary National Key Deer Refuge John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Biscayne Bay Biscayne National Park Key West National Wildlife Refuge Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge Florida Reef

Other topics	Monroe County Conch Republic Overseas Highway Overseas Railroad Card Sound Bridge Jewfish Creek Bridge Seven Mile Bridge Bahia Honda Rail Bridge Fort Jefferson Theater of the Sea Hurricane Wilma 1935 Labor Day hurricane Key Deer Key lime pie Florida Keys Keynoter Key West Citizen

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