Matecumbe facts for kids

Matecumbe is a neighborhood. It is part of the village of Islamorada. You can find it in the beautiful Florida Keys. Matecumbe is located on an island called Upper Matecumbe Key. This area is in Monroe County, Florida, in the United States.

Where Matecumbe Is Located

Matecumbe is found in the amazing Florida Keys. It is made up of two main islands. These are called Upper Matecumbe Key and Lower Matecumbe Key. The main settlement of Matecumbe is on Lower Matecumbe Key. This area was once a stop for the famous Overseas Railroad. This railroad connected the Keys to the mainland.

The Name Matecumbe

The name Matecumbe has a long history. It is one of the oldest place names in South Florida. It has been used since the 1500s. The name still points to the same general area today. Spanish maps often showed the name Matecumbe. The exact meaning of the name is not known.

Early Life and History

Matecumbe was one of the first places in the Upper Keys to be settled. Early settlers found success growing pineapples. The rocky soil was surprisingly good for this crop. At one time, this island grew the most pineapples in the country.

However, things changed. Other countries started growing pineapples too. This made it harder for local farmers. A very strong hurricane hit in 1935. This storm greatly damaged the pineapple farms. It ended the pineapple growing industry here.

Today, life in Matecumbe is different. It focuses on fishing and tourism. You can find many bait shops and marinas. There are also boats ready for charter fishing trips.

Matecumbe in Books

A famous author named James A. Michener wrote a novel. He won a special award called the Pulitzer Prize. Michener visited the Florida Keys often. His visits inspired him to write a book. The novel is called Matecumbe.