Ghost Moon by Heather Graham EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Authors: Heather Graham
- Language: English
- Genre: Paranormal Ghost Romance
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
Ghost Moon
Heather Graham
*
Key West History Timeline
1513–Ponce de Leon is thought to be the first European to discover
Florida, which he claimed for Spain. His sailors, watching as they pass the
southern islands (the Keys), decide that the mangrove roots look like
tortured souls and call them Los Martires, or “the Martyrs.”
Circa 1600–Key West begins to appear on European maps and charts.
The first explorers came upon the bones of deceased native tribes, and thus
the island was called “the Island of Bones,” or Cayo Hueso.
The Golden Age of Piracy begins as New World ships carry vast
treasures through dangerous waters.
1763–The Treaty of Paris gives Florida and Key West to the British and
Cuba to the Spanish. The Spanish and Native Americans are forced to leave
the Keys and move to Havana. The Spanish, however, claim that the Keys
are not part of mainland Florida and were really North Havana. The English
say no, the Keys are a part of Florida. In reality, this dispute is merely a war
of words. Hardy souls of many nationalities fish, cut timber, hunt turtles–
and avoid pirates–with little restraint from any government.
1783–The Treaty of Paris ends the American Revolution and returns
Florida to Spain.
1815-Spain deeds the island of Key West to a loyal Spaniard, Juan Pablo
Salas of St. Augustine, Florida.
1819-1822–Florida is ceded to the United States. Salas sells the island to
John Simonton for $2,000. Simonton divides the island into four parts, three
going to businessmen John Whitehead, John Fleming and Pardon Greene.
Cayo Hueso becomes more generally known as Key West.
1822–Simonton convinces the U.S. Navy to come to Key West–the
deep-water harbor, which had kept pirates, wreckers and others busy while
the land was scarcely developed, would be an incredible asset to the U.S.
Lieutenant Matthew C. Perry arrives to assess the situation. Perry reports
favorably on the strategic military importance but warns the government
that the area is filled with unsavory characters–such as pirates.
1823–Captain David Porter is appointed commodore of the West Indies
Anti-Pirate Squadron, known as the “Mosquito Fleet.” He takes over
ruthlessly, basically putting Key West under martial law. People do not like
him. However, starting in 1823, he does begin to put a halt to piracy in the
area.
The United States of America is in full control of Key West, which is
part of the U.S. territory of Florida, and colonizing begins in earnest by
Americans, though, as always, those Americans come from many places.
Circa 1828–Wrecking becomes a big business in Key West, and much of
the island becomes involved in the activity.
It’s such big business that over
the next twenty years, the island becomes one of the richest areas per capita
in the United States. In the minds of some, a new kind of piracy has
replaced the old. Although wrecking and salvage were licensed and legal,
many a ship was lured to its doom by less than scrupulous businessmen.
1845–Florida becomes a state. Construction begins on a fort to protect
Key West.
For More Read Download This Book
EPUB