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The Florida Keys Trivia Quiz

The Florida Keys are another world located just offshore from southern Florida. Their history is unique and offbeat. Airline moguls, wreckers, and pirates are a few of the people you'll meet here. Enjoy your stay.

A multiple-choice quiz by bhmbaglock. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
bhmbaglock

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
306,410

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
660

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Contrary to what you might think, many people believe the "West" in the name Key West does not originate from the island's geographical position at all and instead is a poor transliteration of a Spanish word with a very different meaning. What would the name be if it were translated properly from the original Spanish? Hint

Island of Bones

Island of Doom

Egg Key

Sand Key

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which key hosts US Air Force Aerostats which are tethered blimps used for border surveillance? Hint

Ramrod Key

Cudjoe Key

Big Pine Key

Little Pine Key

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Question 3 of 10

3. Hemingway once ripped a urinal off the wall of a Key West Bar and took it home where it later became part of a decorative fountain used to water cats. Which of these businesses is currently located at the scene of this absurd crime? Hint

Hog's Breath Saloon

Captain Tony's

Sloppy Joe's

Pepe's

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Question 4 of 10

4. How did Stock Island get its name? Hint

It is where the stockyard serving Key West was located.

The US Naval Station stockade is located there.

The US Navy maintained large stockpiles of ammunition there.

Many wealthy stockbrokers maintain second homes there.

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Question 5 of 10

5. Carl Hiassen often puts his characters in absurd situations in a way that truly captures the spirit of Florida. One of his most memorable characters is "Skink" the more than slightly eccentric ex-Governor of Florida. Which Keys bridge did Skink lash himself to for the duration of a hurricane? Hint

Seven Mile Bridge

Card Sound Bridge

Long Key Bridge

Torch Key Viaduct

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Question 6 of 10

6. Off the coast of which Key would you find the statue of Christ of the Abyss? Hint

Marathon

Sunset Key

Dry Tortugas

Key Largo

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Question 7 of 10

7. Lighthouses have played a large part in the history of Florida and the Keys. Which group was often accused of interference with the operation of lighthouses in the Keys during the mid 19th Century? Hint

Cuban Pirates

Confederate Navy

Wreckers

Union Navy

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Question 8 of 10

8. At great financial and personal cost, Mel Fisher found a huge treasure of gold, silver, jewels, and more from the wreck of the Atocha. What is the name of the slaver trade ship he also discovered filled with rich historical treasures? Hint

Henrietta Marie

The St. Johns wreck

Santa Margarita

Matecumbe

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Question 9 of 10

9. The first flights of Pan American Airways served Key West and Havana. The original terminal for Pan Am is now a restaurant named for a famous entertainer. Who is the entertainer? Hint

Jim Croce

Jimmy Buffet

Kelly McGillis

John Travolta

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Question 10 of 10

10. Key West is closer to Havana than to Miami.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Island of Bones

The original name was "Cayo Hueso", taking its name from the vast quantities of Indian bones found there when Ponce de Leon first landed there.

2. Which key hosts US Air Force Aerostats which are tethered blimps used for border surveillance?

Answer: Cudjoe Key

Cudjoe is also known as Cutthroat Key.

Answer: Captain Tony's

The tricky part is that he took it from Sloppy Joe's but the bar later moved to Duval Street and Captain Tony's opened in its old location. Any local will tell you that the spirit of the real Key West is much more authentic at Captain Tony's even though he is sadly no longer around.

4. How did Stock Island get its name?

Answer: It is where the stockyard serving Key West was located.

Moo! Before refrigeration it was necessary to maintain a stockyard in close proximity to the town in order to have fresh meat. US Navy facilities are located on Key West itself with the air station on nearby Boca Chica however, the Key West Jail is on Stock Island.

Answer: Card Sound Bridge

Clinton "Skink" Tyree failed in his attempts to limit growth in the State while Governor. By the time of the events in "Stormy Weather" he was living off the land and roadkill.

6. Off the coast of which Key would you find the statue of Christ of the Abyss?

Answer: Key Largo

It is located offshore in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which was named in honor of the "Miami Herald" editor who led the fight to make the Everglades a National Park.

Answer: Wreckers

The Wreckers were accused of deliberating making ships wreck on the reefs so they could get rich on the salvage. The John Wayne movie "Wake of the Red Witch" is based on life in Key West at the time when their operations peaked and Key West was the richest city in the US per capita as a result.

Answer: Henrietta Marie

The Santa Margarita was a sister ship of the Atocha. The St. Johns wreck is another unrelated Spanish wreck discovered by his company. At the time of the wreck of the Atocha the Keys were known in Spain as the Matecumbes. Today two keys near Islamorada are still named Upper and Lower Matecumbe.

9. The first flights of Pan American Airways served Key West and Havana. The original terminal for Pan Am is now a restaurant named for a famous entertainer. Who is the entertainer?

Answer: Kelly McGillis

You might think Jimmy Buffet as he is definitely a flying boat loving sometimes resident of Key West but it's actually Kelly McGillis. Kelly's still carries her name but she has not been involved in the restaurant for years.

10. Key West is closer to Havana than to Miami.

Answer: True

It's roughly 129 miles to Miami and 106 miles to Havana. The closest point in Cuba is just over 90 miles from Key West.

Source: Author bhmbaglock

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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