Cedar Key Historical Development Time-line

Date - Events


1542 - First map of islands published in Spain


1790 - Pirates (the likes of Jean Lafitte and Captain Kidd) utilize the Cedar Key area as a sanctuary.


1812-1816 - British agents secure the Indians in the area as allies.


1816-1818 - First Seminole War, British agents occupy Atsena Otie Key.


1835-1842 - Second Seminole War. U.S. Army establishes a military depot on Atsena Otie Key (then known as Depot Key). A detention camp for Indians is established on Seahorse Key.


1842 - First permanent settlement established on Atsena Otie Key.


1853 - Island of Cedar Key deeded to Judge Steele.


1855-1859 - Faber Pencil Mill established on Atsena Otie Key. This is followed by additional lumber-dependent factories and mills. Commercial fishing is started in the Cedar Key area. Lighthouse is completed on Seahorse Key. Construction begins on Railroad from Fernandina Beach to Cedar Key. Present site of the Town of Cedar Key is laid out.


1861 - Florida Railroad (from Fernandina Beach to Cedar Key) is completed on March 1st. War Between the States begins and Florida secedes from the Union.


1862 - Union blockade of Cedar Key begins January 16th.


1865 - War Between the States ends.


1869 -1879 - Prosperity returns to Cedar Key. Fishing Industry expands. New and bigger sawmills and pencil factories are located on Atsena Otie Key and Cedar Key. Shipbuilding becomes a major industry (located at Piney Point). Land sells for 50 cents an acre. Tourism becomes a major industry.


1880 - Florida Railroad becomes known as the Atlantic Gulf and Western Indian Transit Company. Yellow Fever breaks out--Snake Key Quarantined.


1881 - Ice plant moves from Tampa to Cedar Key but is forced to close down due to insufficient fresh water.


1884 - Only Customs House in Florida, besides Key West, locates in Cedar Key.


1886 - Mr. Henry Plant completes a railroad from the Atlantic Coast to Tampa and invests over two million dollars to build and furnish The Tampa Bay Hotel.


1890 - Timber and seafood resources in the Cedar Key area are depleted.


1896 - On December 2nd, a hurricane preceded by a "tidal surge" hits the Cedar Key area and Atsena Otie Key. This is followed by a fire which destroys half of the Cedar Key business district. Within the next 10 to 15 years, the island of Atsena Otie Key is largely abandoned.


1900 - The existing railroad becomes known as the Seaboard Airline Railway.


1909 - Oyster beds are exhausted. Fiber plant begins operations.


1923 -1924 - A paved road is constructed to Cedar Key.


1932 - The railroad is removed from Cedar Key to Archer. Bridge numbers 2, 3, and 4 are built.


1935 - Fire destroys the wooden dock (the Big Dock). A hurricane hits Cedar Key.


1939 - The George T. Lewis airstrip is constructed for military use.


1962 - St. Claire Whitman Museum opens. Tourism becomes major industry.


1965 - New concrete dock (the Big Dock) is built.


1966 - A new water system is completed.


1974 - A new bridge is completed over the Number Four Channel.


1990 - City adopts Growth Management Plan.


1997 - Charles R. Nelson Mortgage, Inc. opens Mortgage Brokerage Business.


1999 - EZ Properties opens their doors in Cedar Key for business.


2005 - Welcome... Cyrce R. Nelson and Chase R. Nelson as Sales Associates
for EZ Properties.


Recent - To be continued...


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