Atsena Otie Key

Florida's ghost towns are railroad towns Flagler built, 1920s land-boom subdivisions that busted, and phosphate and turpentine camps.

Atsena Otie Key is an island and ghost town one-half mile offshore of Cedar Key, Florida. The island, called Depot Key at the time, was the site of a US Army post during the Second Seminole War. The island was renamed after the war and was the site of the town of Atsena Otie in the latter half of the 19th century until it was largely destroyed by a hurricane in 1896. The island now includes a walking trail, swimming area, and ruins of the Eberhard Faber mill. The property is part of the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The on-the-ground condition of Atsena Otie Key is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Atsena Otie Key is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.