So just how did Islamorada become the “Sportsfishing Capital of the World?”
Find out at Legends of the Line – one of the fascinating permanent exhibits on display at the Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada. You’ll get the complete lowdown on just how fishing in the Florida Keys morphed from a relaxing past time into a booming tourism industry.
In addition to a very cool collection of historical photographs, the exhibit also includes two fishing poles used by President George HW Bush and his grandson “Jebby.” At the Center of it all, is a 46-inch touchscreen monitor where you can explore an intriguing list of famous anglers who frequented the Keys from 1915 through the 60s and beyond. Here’s where men like the prolific author Zane Grey, baseball Hall-Of-Famer Ted Williams, and President Herbert Hoover come to life. You’ll also meet many legendary fishing captains and local characters who were instrumental in turning the Upper Keys into the “Sportsfishing Capital of the World.”
In addition to the Legends of the Line exhibit, you can also view many other permanent exhibits including Florida Keys First People, 1733 Spanish Fleet, Pirates, Wrecker and Salvagers, Coral Reef Exploration, and more.
The Keys History & Discovery Center also boasts a state-of-the-art, 35-seat movie theater with “4-K Technology,” which displays four times the detail of typical high-definition devices. Movie producer, Jon Landau (Avatar and Titanic) had a hand in the theater’s design which screens an ongoing series of fascinating “Shorts” that run throughout the day.
You can watch films about Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad, the Keys 1935 Hurricane, and get an overview of Islamorada area State Parks. Films begin at 10:30 amand continue throughout the day with the last showing at 4 pm.
If you want to explore the area first hand, just download the free Florida Stories app and you can enjoy self-guided walks of historic Islamorada and nearby Indian Key.
The Keys History & Discovery Center is open every Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am until 5 pm. Find it at 82100 Overseas Highway, mile marker 82.1 oceanside, on the property of the Islander Resort. Info: 305-922-2237; keysdiscovery.com.