Grand canals traversed by ornate bridges tell of Duck Key's European/West Indies heritage. Duck Keys is a natural island, a composite of five islands, yacht Club Island, Center Island, Harbour Island, Plantation Island and Indies Island, providing seclusion, privacy and security. Only one road connects Duck Key to the main highway U.S.1.

Duck Key has been experiencing moderate growth since the early 1950's when Bryan Newkirk, a Canadian businessman, first started the development of this 300 acre island. Actually, Mr. Newkirk discovered Duck Key after winning a golf game. The stakes were $10,000.00, or an island in the Florida Keys. He took the island!

Bryan Newkirk, was involved with George Merrick and Admiral Telfair Knight in the development of Coral Gables, so development was not new to him. He came in and dredged all the canals in Duck Key and connected each one with a Venetian arched bridge. The canals of Duck Key flow freely from Gulf to Ocean. Therefore you have blue, azure waters right in your back yard, whether you are on the ocean or on a canal. (And great fishing too!)

The island was divided into 775 tracks of land and started to be developed in the late 1960's. Duck Key boasted vacant land on the ocean for a mere $10,000.00 per lot, and canalfront lots started at $3,800.00 per lot. The typical lot size was 75' x 100'.

Today, oceanfront lots start at $330,000.00 and canalfront lots start at $159,000.00 Waterfront homes range from the mid $300's to 2 million or more.

The hotel, which is now known as Hawk's Cay Resort was also known as the Indies House and then the Indies Inn. Presidents including Harry S. Truman and celebrities came and still come to Duck Key and are still arriving without much concern by locals.

The hotel now offers social memberships for property owners of Duck Key. Amenities include beach and pool facilities and three restaurants, two full service marinas and dive shop, tennis and affiliate membership to Sombrero Country Club, which has an 18 hole golf course.

Other shops on the island include, a full service salon, which includes, facials, massage, nail and hair services. A custom jewelry shop, clothing boutique and Duck Key's very own deli and sundry store.

How do you get here? It's a two and a half hour drive from Miami Airport or a half an hour flight right into Marathon which is only 8 miles South of Duck Key.

Most residents leave their cars in the driveway and sport around in their very own golf carts or visit their neighbors by boat or just walk! This is a very laid back type of community where neighbors, fish, snorkel and dive right off their doorstep. A casual existence that stresses year round outdoor life for which the Florida Keys are famous!! Can you imagine? It's right in the heart of the Florida Keys at Mile Marker 61. Come on down and take a look!

Text by Kristen E. Brenner