As it approaches the Gulf, the road crosses a number of small creeks and over several arms of the sea, passing from island to island until it reaches Cedar Key (nineteen miles), where is the terminus. (*Hotel kept by Mr. Willard, $3.00 per day.)
The population of the key is about 400, chiefly engaged in lumbering. Excellent hunting and fishing can be had in the vicinity, and many pretty shells and sea-mosses are found along the shore. A hard sand beach, half a mile in length, is a favorite promenade. There are no horses on the island, but boats, here the only means of transportation, can be hired from $3.00 to $5.00 a day. Remains of the former Indian occupants, such as shell mounds, stone axes, arrowheads, pottery, etc., are very abundant.
Steamers touch at Cedar Keys every day or two, providing ready communication with the principal points on the Gulf. The fares are about as follows: to Tampa, $10.00; Key West, $20.00; Havana, $30.00; St. Marks, $10.00; Apalachicola, $20.00; Pensacola, $30.00; New Orleans, $40.00; Mobile, $20.00.
8. KEY WEST—THE FLORIDA KEYS AND THE GULF COAST.
KEY WEST.
Hotels.—*Russell House, George Phillips, proprietor, on Duval St.; Florida House, both $2.50 per day, $40.00 to $60.00 per month.
Boarding-Houses.—John Dixon, Whitehead Street; Mrs. E. Armbrister, Duval Street; Mrs. Clarke; from $8.00 to $15.00 per week.
Telegraph to Havana and the north; office in Naval depot building. Post Office opposite the Russell House.
Churches.—Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, and Methodist.
Bookseller.—R. P. Campbell, Duval Street, (northern weeklies, Brinton’s Guide-Book).