Cedar Key is nestled among several tiny keys located off the Big Bend of the Gulf Coast of Florida, at the southernmost tips of the Santa Fe River and the Suwannee River. The city is 50 miles west of Gainesville and four miles out into the Gulf of Mexico, where all of the keys can be accessed through a system of bridges and causeways. The population of Cedar Key is approximately 1000, making this tiny community one of Florida's best kept secrets.

The history of Cedar Key can be traced back to the pre-Columbian era, when mound builders settled the Nature Coast area and established their villages there. Later, Spanish explorers came through the area, claiming the land for the Spanish throne. The Seminole Indian War was fought on this ground as well.

The development of Cedar Key as an American community began in the early 1800s, as its position at the mouth of both the Santa Fe and the Suwannee Rivers made it an ideal depot for travelers and traders alike. Around the 1850s, the rising popularity of steamboats as a means of transportation meant that the rivers were dotted with them at any given time. Within twenty years, a new era of expansion was happening within the United States, and places such as Cedar Key found themselves settled by adventurers, entrepreneurs, naturalists and travel writers, all of whom gave Cedar Key glowing reviews. A commercial fishing industry began to take hold, as well as a logging industry based around the abundant cedar trees for which the Key was named. However, around the turn of the 20th century, when the cedar supplies were depleted and a hurricane hit the area, the bustle of trade and commerce relocated to the mainland, leaving residents searching for a new identity in the wake of this challenge to their way of life.

Gradually Cedar Key has established a new identity for itself as a resort town, but this little community has an added dimension as home to a long-standing artist colony. Artists and writers from all over flock to the unspoiled beauty of Cedar Key, seeking inspiration from the abundant wildlife and wide stretches of sandy beaches that can be found there. The historic streets are lined with galleries and boutiques, and delicious fresh seafood caught from local waters can be had at any of the number of restaurants about town.

Cedar Key's greatest resource is its stunning natural environment, of which much is designated as federally protected land. The keys form a chain of barrier islands, providing the perfect harbor for a wide range of migratory and shore birds, such as the bald eagle, the roseate spoonbill, and the white pelican. As a result, bird watching is one of the more popular pastimes enjoyed by visitors to the area. Nature trails are available for those who want to explore the area on their own, as well as guides for those who want to explore the outer, more isolated keys. Florida's most famous sea mammal, the gently outsized manatee, can be found in Manatee Springs State Park during the winter months, when the warm spring waters attract the charming animals to the area. Canoes can be rented and paddled up and down the Suwannee, in the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, as long as a respectful distance is kept.

The rich heritage of Cedar Key is another resource that is protected by residents, with two museums - the Cedar Key State Museum and the Historical Society Museum - housing many of the natural and archaeological artifacts of the area. Self-guided walking tours are available, as well as nature trails for exploration.

Photos courtesy of the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce