Key West's Cemetery is located in the historic Old Town on the island. It was moved to its present location, on the higher ground of Solares Hill, following a hurricane in 1847 when bodies were washed up from the original burial ground at Whitehead Point. It is estimated that there are over 60,000 graves in the Cemetery featuring white-washed tombs with unusual epitaphs, statues and monuments, giving an insight into the history of Key West.
There is a bronze sailor dating to 1900, with white marble markers as a memorial dedicated to the victims if the 1898 sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor. There are graves for many historical figures including Joseph Yates Porter who was the founding father f public heath services in Florida. The Catholic cemetery was opened in 1868, and the entrance of the Jewish cemetery has a black archway with the letters B'nai Zion. There is also a memorial with archway with the inscription A Los Martires de Cuba dedicated to the heroes of the Cuban revolution in 1868.
Other interesting graves include the carved angel to mark a child's grave, and the Otto family grave where their three dogs and pet deer are buried alongside the family members. There are other quirky graves and and witty epitaphs around the cemetery including the plot of General Abraham Lincoln Sawyer - a 40" midget and who's dying wish was to be buried in a full-sized tomb. Inscriptions include 'I told you I was sick' and 'at least I know where he's sleeping tonight', also see if you can spot the 'devoted fan of Julio Iglesias'.
