Ballast Key facts for kids
Ballast Key
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 Ballast Key
Location in Florida
Ballast Key
Location in Caribbean
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Gulf of Mexico |
| Coordinates | 24°31′26″N 81°57′51″W / 24.52389°N 81.96417°W |
| Archipelago | Florida Keys |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Florida Straits |
| Administration | |
| State | Florida |
| County | Monroe |
Ballast Key is a small island in the Florida Keys, located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. It's special because it's the southernmost point of land in the contiguous United States (meaning the main part of the U.S., not including Alaska or Hawaii). For a long time, it was the very last piece of private land inside the Key West National Wildlife Refuge.
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Location and Ownership
Ballast Key is part of a group of islands called the Mule Keys. It's about 9 miles (14.5 km) west of Key West. The island is about 26 acres (10.5 hectares) in size.
A Gift to Nature
The island was once owned by a developer from Key West named David W. Wolkowsky. He decided to donate Ballast Key to The Nature Conservancy, which is a group that works to protect important natural places. The Nature Conservancy then gave ownership of the land to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This service now manages the island to protect its wildlife and natural beauty.
Ballast Key in Movies and Books
Ballast Key has appeared in a few famous movies and books!
On the Big Screen
The island had a small role in the James Bond movie Licence to Kill. It was also mentioned in the book version of the movie. In the book, James Bond even says, "David, it's James, James Bond...I've broken into your island. I hope you don't mind." Ballast Key was also used for the final scene of the 2015 science fiction thriller Self/less.
Famous Visitors
Over the years, David Wolkowsky hosted many famous artists, writers, and celebrities on Ballast Key. Some of the well-known people who visited include musician Jimmy Buffett, playwright Tennessee Williams, and author Truman Capote. Many other important figures from the arts and even some famous families like the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers have enjoyed the island's peaceful setting.
Artistic Inspiration
The famous playwright Tennessee Williams often painted pictures while he visited David Wolkowsky on Ballast Key in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was a place where he could relax and be creative.
Island Features
Ballast Key has a main house with four bedrooms and a special master suite. There's also a separate guesthouse with three bedrooms. This guesthouse looks out over a beautiful sandy beach lined with palm trees. The homes on the island get their water from a special process called desalination, which turns saltwater into fresh water.
