Southernmost point buoy
The Southernmost point in the continental United States is claimed to be located in Key West, Florida, at the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street.
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[edit] History
The Southernmost point was originally just marked with a sign, which was often stolen. In response to this, the city of Key West erected the now famous concrete buoy in 1983.[1]
Today it is one of the most visited and photographed attractions in Key West.[2] During the day there are usually several street vendors present selling various souvenirs and conch shells.[3]
[edit] Controversy
The claim is not accurate. Florida's official southernmost point is Ballast Key, a privately owned island just south and west of Key West. Signs on the island strictly prohibit unauthorized visitors. During low tides, several sand bars farther south than Ballast Key are exposed, the southernmost one of which is Sand Key.[citation needed]
Additionally, the point is not even the southernmost point on the island of Key West. Land on the Truman Annex property just west-southwest of the buoy is the true southernmost point on the island, but it has no marker since it is U.S. Navy land and cannot be entered by civilian tourists. Also, the private yards directly to the southeast of the buoy and the beach areas of Truman Annex and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park all lie farther south than the buoy.[citation needed]
The claim on the buoy stating "90 miles to Cuba" is a rounded number, since Cuba, at its closest point is 94 statute (81 nautical) miles due south.[4]
[edit] In popular culture
In Callahan's Key (2001) by Spider Robinson it is noted that "The famous, oft-photographed marker at The Southernmost Point...is not."[citation needed]
A subplot of Robert Tacoma's second novel, Key Weirder (2005), involves an interstate dispute over where the true southernmost point is located, and, therefore, where the monument should be placed.[citation needed]
