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Islamorada

Islamorada, Florida
Village of Islands
One of a few beaches on the Atlantic side of Islamorada
One of a few beaches on the Atlantic side of Islamorada
Motto: "Village Of Islands "
Location of Islamorada, Florida
Location of Islamorada, Florida
U.S. Census Bureau map showing village boundaries
U.S. Census Bureau map showing village boundaries
Coordinates: 24°56′9″N 80°36′49″W / 24.93583°N 80.61361°W / 24.93583; -80.61361Coordinates: 24°56′9″N 80°36′49″W / 24.93583°N 80.61361°W / 24.93583; -80.61361
Country  United States
State Florida
County  Monroe
Area
 • Total 7.3 sq mi (18.8 km2)
 • Land 7.1 sq mi (18.4 km2)
 • Water 0.1 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Population (2007)
 • Total 6,119
 • Density 838.2/sq mi (325.4/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 33036, 33070
Area code(s) 305
FIPS code 12-34132

Islamorada, a "Village of Islands," is an incorporated village in Monroe County, Florida, United States. It is located on the islands of Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key in the Florida Keys.

The name Islamorada, pronounced (Is-La-Moh-RA-Da) (Original meaning: "Island Home" after the Pinder family schooner of that name), newly nicknamed, "The Purple Isle," came from early Spanish explorers in the area. Its pronunciation has been anglicized to "eye-lah-moh-RA-da."

Islamorada was hit almost directly by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, causing 423 deaths. A memorial, including the ashes of over 300 victims, exists today at Overseas Highway mile marker 82.

Hall of Fame baseball player Ted Williams began visiting Islamorada in 1943 and for the next 45 years was the island's most well-known resident. After his retirement from baseball he became the national spokesman for Sears sporting goods and became renowned for his abilities as a fisherman. Over the decades, he hosted numerous celebrities at his Islamorada house and took them on local fishing trips. Williams’ residency in Islamorada ended in 1988 when he moved to Hernando, Florida. Williams cited the island’s increased development as his reason for leaving. He reportedly said that he knew it was time to leave when he could no longer make a left turn on to U.S. Route 1 because of the traffic.


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