History of Key West
The history of Key West begins thousands of years prior to recorded European contact, when the island became largely occupied by the Calusa and Tequesta Native American tribes. By the end of the Age of Discovery, Key West's indigenous history had largely diminished; brief settlements by transient Seminoles in the late 18th century introduced temporary trade in the surrounding Florida Keys, with early fishing and wrecking revenues becoming lucrative among passing Natives in the region.