Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, a 280-acre park on Lignumvitae Key off the coast of Islamorada, is a designated archaeological and historical park as well as a botanical wonderland of protected tropical hardwood hammocks (aka canopy forests). At one point, the hardwood hammocks that cover the state park were prevalent throughout the Keys but have since been reduced for commercial and residential use. Today, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park not only protects the remainder of the hardwood hammocks but the handful of historical objects and buildings on the island.
In the early 1900s, a wealthy chemist purchased the island to create his home and a self-sustaining estate. Many of his creations, including a windmill and cistern as well as his home remain as part of the park. His home has now been renovated into the visitors center where you can join a guided tour which leaves twice daily, and pick up information on touring the park on your own.
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, like many parks in the Keys, is only accessible by boat. However, once you get here, you can enjoy a bright day of boat tours, snorkeling, wildlife viewing the protected shore, wading, and migratory birds, as well as canoeing and kayaking the ocean waves. The visitors center, in the old chemist's home, is perhaps the most popular destination with exhibits, lectures, and period furniture circa 1919.
