Derelict vessels have been abandoned at Wisteria Island, one of many problems for the vacant land mass that is about a 1/4 mile off of Key West's Mallory Square. Miami Herald Staff / Cammy Clark
In Key West Harbor there are two spoil islands separated by a channel: developed Sunset Key and wild Wisteria Island. Miami Herald Staff / Cammy Clark
One illegal camper has returned to Wisteria Island after it was completely cleaned up 18 months ago. Miami Herald Staff / Cammy Clark
Wisteria Island was filled with trash at illegal campsites, which were cleaned up about 18 months ago. Photo by Jim Vernon
Wisteria Island was filled with trash at illegal campsites, which were cleaned up 18 months ago. Photo by Jim Vernon
Undeveloped Wisteria Island has been used as a place for people to illegally dump trash. Photo by Jim Vernon
Abandoned boats and wildlife now share the beach on Wisteria Island, a spoil creation in the middle of Key West Harbor. Miami Herald Staff / Cammy Clark
Magic Penny, a former water taxi owned by Naja and Arnaud Girard, remains anchored near Wisteria Island after it was swamped during Hurriane Wilma in 2005. Miami Herald Staff / Cammy Clark
In Key West Harbor, an abandoned boat was left on the shore of Wisteria Island, which is just across the channel from developed Sunset Key. Miami Herald Staff / Cammy Clark
Wisteria Island in Key West Harbor has so far been left undeveloped as the city has become a major tourist destination. Miami Herald Staff / Cammy Clark
Wisteria Island in Key West Harbor has been undeveloped since it was created during a dredging project in the 1890s and early 1900s. Miami Herald Staff / Cammy Clark
In 2007, "No Trespassing" signs went up for the first time on Wisteria Island. It didn't stop people from putting up a memorial for a man who drowned near the island. Miami Herald Staff / Cammy Clark
Illegal living and partying continues to occur on Wisteria Island that's located in the middle of Key West Harbor. Miami Herald Staff / Cammy Clark
An aerial of Wisteria Island circa 1970. Dale McDonald Collection
This 1968 aerial picture of Key West shows the two spoil islands (botton left) created by U.S. Navy dredging projects. Wisteria Island is the dark colored one with plenty of vegetation since it was created in the 1890s and early 1900s. The light colored island is now called Sunset Key, which wasn't created until the mid 1960s had almost no vegetation at that time. Woodard Barron Collection
Alexis and Clementine Girad played on Wisteria Island when they lived on a boat anchored just off its shore. This picture is around 1998 or 1999. Photo courtesy of Girard Family
Alexis and Clementine Girard play on Wisteria Island in the late 1990s when they lived on a boat anchored nearby. Photo courtesy of Girard Family
Many kids who lived on boats anchored in Key West Harbor used Wisteria Island as their playground. This was taken in 2006, a few months after Hurricane Wilma left many boats damaged. Photo courtesy of Girard Family
In 2006, Naja Girard with her kids Alexis and Clementine on their water taxi anchored just offshore of Wisteria Island. Photo courtesy of Girard Family
Wisteria Island in the Keys. Top of the photo is North. Google image.
RSS|
My Yahoo|
Newsletters|
Mobile|
Alerts|
Twitter