History of Lower Matecumbe Key
Lower Matecumbe Key is an island in the upper Florida Keys. Matecumbe is a very old name in the Keys. The first spelling of Matecumbe was in 1571 describing an attack by an Indian tribal chief Matecumbe on nine Spanish soldiers who stopped to fish.
It is located on U.S. 1 between mile markers 75-78. Lower Matecumbe was first surveyed by Charles Smith November, 1872 and is Township 64 South, Range 36 East. The very southern tip (24.63 acres) was first deeded to Emily M. Collins in 1886. The remaining land to the north was first deeded to a group of four men, Lewis W. Pierce, D. J. Sweeney, Peter A. Williams, George D. Warren, in 1884 and 1886. The island lies southwest of Upper Matecumbe Key, and northeast of Craig Key.
This key is the site of a number of Indian mounds and middens, most of which were destroyed during building of the Overseas Railroad. In early times Lower Matecumbe was probably better documented than most Keys because of the abundant fresh water available. A number of natural wells were also located at the northeast end of the key. These wells were well known to early seafaring men as the most reliable source of fresh water in the Keys. They, too were destroyed during the railroad era, and the location of their site has been lost. The southwestern end of key is the site of a former sand mining operation.
Lower Matecumbe is home to the most natural of the beaches in the Florida Keys. Sea Oats Beach was known in its earliest years to have many conch and bonefish and provided a wonderful area for all to enjoy. Anne’s Beach also located on Lower Matecumbe which was donated to the village by environmentalist Anne Eaton. It provides not only for locals, but visitors alike a scenic boardwalk and the opportunity to enjoy both nature on the shore and the surrounding waters.
Current residents continue to be committed to help save our history and our small part of paradise.
Courtesy of Keys History.com