What happened to Keys landmarks?
After Hurricane Irma’s devastating strike in the Florida Keys, first thoughts went toward the well-being of those who lost homes, livelihoods, boats and possessions.
Then came more selfish thoughts: What about the hideaways, touristy spots, restaurants and resorts stretched throughout the chain of islands that belonged to all of us? The No Name Pub and all those dollar bills that visitors stapled to its ceilings and walls. Robbie’s Marina, where families have stopped to feed tarpon for decades. Tiki bars where we sipped rumrunners and pina coladas on weekend getaways. What survived? What was destroyed?
With access to the Middle and Lower Keys still restricted and phone and Internet service compromised, damage information has been sketchy. But satellite imagery taken after the storm by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has provided clues. Overall most Keys landmarks and large structures seemed to survive intact, but the reality on the ground might be different.
It might be days or weeks until we get more complete answers about damage and reopening dates, but here’s what we know.
Postcard Inn Beach Resort at Holiday Isle
The famous Tiki Bar in Islamorada is in shambles, the docks have been blown north across U.S. 1. Satellite imaging shows a water-damaged roof. The Postcard Inn is famous for its oceanside tiki bar and Rum Runner cocktails. The resort recently underwent an extensive remodeling.
Bat Tower
A dramatic NOAA satellite image taken after Hurricane Irma shows the tower in Lower Sugarloaf Key toppled and broken at its base, which would make it one of the storm’s highest-profile victims. Also known as the Perky Bat Tower, this 30-foot failed attempt at mosquito control was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Built in 1929 by Richter Clyde Perky, a fish lodge owner, he filled it with bats to combat mosquitoes invading the Lower Keys. All the bats flew away on the first night. Tucked away from U.S. 1 at the end of a dirt road, it has been a tourist stop for decades.
No Name Pub
Satellite imagery taken after the storm by NOAA shows trees toppled and a boat in the foliage across the street from this famous off-the-beaten-track pub on Big Pine Key, one of the oldest bars in the Keys (open since 1936). whose front sign reads, “You found it.” The images appear to show the roof and structure intact, good news for a restaurant where the ceilings and walls are covered with dollar bills left by patrons. Phone calls lead to a busy signal, and there are no updates on the restaurant’s website or social media sites.
Robbie’s Marina
The marina and restaurant on the Overseas Highway is famous for its docks where visitors can feed the hungry tarpon. “The first thing we want to do is get the tarpon back,” Robbie’s general manager Cailin Reckwerdt said of the hundreds of big fish that customers were able to hand-feed from the wooden docks. “The docks are all gone, and the fish went to deep water. But they’ll be back.”