Stock Island facts for kids
Stock Island from the north. Florida Keys Community College can be seen to the far left. A large land fill is in the center, and a marina/resort is on the right.
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 Stock Island
Location in Florida
Stock Island
Location in Caribbean
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Gulf of Mexico |
| Coordinates | 24°34′12″N 81°44′15″W / 24.57000°N 81.73750°W |
| Archipelago | Florida Keys |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Florida Straits |
| Administration | |
| State | Florida |
| County | Monroe |
Stock Island is an island in the lower Florida Keys. It is located right next to Key West, separated by a narrow water channel called Cow Key Channel. This channel is only about 70 meters (75 yards) wide.
To the northwest of Stock Island is Key Haven, also known as Raccoon Key. Stock Island is connected to Key Haven by a road that is part of US 1, also known as the Overseas Highway.
Part of Stock Island, the northern side, is actually part of the City of Key West. The southern part of the island is a special area called a "census-designated place" (CDP). A CDP is a place that looks like a town but isn't officially a city or town with its own local government. This CDP is located in Monroe County, Florida, in the United States.
The island might have gotten its name because people used to keep herds of farm animals, or "livestock," there a long time ago. Another idea is that it was named after an early person who settled on the island.
Where is Stock Island?
Stock Island is located at coordinates 24°34′12″N 81°44′15″W.
The main road, U.S. 1 (the Overseas Highway), crosses the island. You can find it around mile markers 4 to 6, just east of Key West.
What Can You Find on Stock Island?
The northern part of Stock Island has some interesting places. You can find the Key West Golf Course there, which is a great spot for golf. There's also the Monroe County Detention Center, which is a county facility. The main campus of Florida Keys Community College is also on the northern side, where students go to learn.
The southern part of the island is home to many mobile homes and marinas. Marinas are places where boats are kept and repaired. In the past, the Islander Drive-In Theater was located on the southern side. This outdoor movie theater became famous because of Jimmy Buffett's popular song, Grapefruit-Juicy Fruit.
