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What does Cayo Hueso mean?

Cayo Hueso is the original Spanish name for the island of Key West. Translated it means “bone cay”, cay referring to a small, low island or reef. It is said that the island was littered with the remains (bones) of prior native inhabitants, many Calusa Indians, who used the isle as a communal graveyard. When the English came to Cayo Hueso they mistook the name as Key West, and the island was henceforth known as Key West.

Cayo Hueso

Bethany Smith-Martin
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