Mile Marker Zero

1. Key West: A Bohemian Paradise for Writers and Artists in the 1970s

"Key West was peaceful, idyllic, tropical, and otherworldly," he recalled. It also was sanctuary. "I wanted to shut out the mainland, the shitty mess that the sixties had become. It was an alternative reality. And you could phone home from a pay booth and use American money."

A creative haven. In the 1970s, Key West became a magnet for writers, artists, and musicians seeking inspiration and escape from the mainstream. The island's laid-back atmosphere, tropical beauty, and bohemian culture attracted a diverse group of creative individuals looking for a place to work and play.

Artistic freedom. The island's isolation and unique social dynamics allowed artists to experiment with their craft without the pressures of the outside world. Key West's "live and let live" attitude fostered an environment where creativity could flourish, and unconventional lifestyles were accepted.

Literary legacy. Key West's literary history, dating back to Ernest Hemingway's residency in the 1930s, provided a rich backdrop for the new generation of writers. The island's connection to Hemingway and other literary figures added to its allure for aspiring authors seeking to follow in their footsteps.

2. Tom McGuane: The Literary Leader of Key West's Creative Circle

"I felt as if I had a fuel tank strapped on my back," he said. "I felt we were on the cultural nosecone of America, and I had to write about it."

Rising star. Tom McGuane emerged as the central figure of Key West's literary scene in the 1970s. His early novels, "The Sporting Club" and "The Bushwhacked Piano," established him as a promising young writer and drew comparisons to Ernest Hemingway.

Artistic community builder. McGuane played a crucial role in attracting other writers and artists to Key West, including Jim Harrison, Russell Chatham, and Guy de la Valdene. His charisma and talent helped create a vibrant creative community on the island.

Personal struggles. Despite his literary success, McGuane grappled with personal demons, including substance abuse and tumultuous relationships. His experiences in Key West inspired his novel "92 in the Shade," which captured the island's unique atmosphere and the complexities of its artistic inhabitants.

3. Jimmy Buffett's Rise from Failed Country Singer to Key West Icon

"Jimmy was able to personify the lifestyle of Key West and it was electric," Vaughn Cochran said. "The lifestyle was energetic. It was the sun, it was being on the water every day, it was playing music and partying. He captured all that and turned it into a product."

Musical reinvention. Jimmy Buffett arrived in Key West as a failed country singer but found his voice and style in the island's laid-back atmosphere. His music, particularly songs like "Margaritaville," captured the essence of Key West's lifestyle and resonated with a wide audience.

Cultural impact. Buffett's success helped put Key West on the map as a tourist destination and influenced popular perceptions of the island. His music and image became synonymous with the tropical, carefree lifestyle that Key West represented.

Entrepreneurial spirit. Beyond his musical career, Buffett leveraged his Key West-inspired brand to build a business empire, including restaurants, merchandise, and books. His success demonstrated the commercial potential of the island's unique culture.

4. The Dark Side of Paradise: Drugs, Smuggling, and Excess

"To live on an island this small, you need a different psyche, a different mindset," said a prosecutor who led an investigation of Key West's Bubba system for selling drugs. "Marijuana, in their mindset, was no different from shrimping. There is simply a different moral and legal system."

Drug culture. Key West's isolation and proximity to drug-producing countries made it a hub for marijuana and cocaine smuggling in the 1970s and early 1980s. Many locals, including some in positions of authority, became involved in the drug trade.

Economic impact. The influx of drug money had a significant effect on Key West's economy, providing income for many residents and businesses. This created a complex relationship between the island's legal and illegal economies.

Excess and consequences. The abundance of drugs and money led to a culture of excess among some of Key West's residents and visitors. This lifestyle took its toll on many individuals, including some of the island's most prominent artists and writers.

5. Hunter S. Thompson's Key West Retreat and Creative Resurgence

"It was a decadent place," Thompson said of Key West. "Decadent. And it is a place where there is essentially no law, and people don't grasp that. See, I came down here with the right kind of mindset. I was angry."

Escape and recovery. Hunter S. Thompson came to Key West in the late 1970s seeking refuge from personal and professional difficulties. The island provided him with a space to recharge and rediscover his creative voice.

Productive period. During his time in Key West, Thompson worked on several projects, including screenplays and his book "The Great Shark Hunt." The island's atmosphere and community helped him overcome writer's block and return to productivity.

Eccentric behavior. Thompson's larger-than-life personality and eccentric behavior became part of Key West's folklore. His presence added to the island's reputation as a haven for unconventional artists and thinkers.

6. The Impact of Celebrity and Success on Key West's Artistic Community

"When fame hit," Tom Corcoran remembered, "the marriage was pretty much over."

Changing dynamics. As some members of Key West's artistic community achieved fame and success, it altered the island's social fabric. The influx of money and attention created new pressures and temptations for the artists.

Personal relationships. The newfound celebrity status of some residents strained personal relationships and marriages. The case of Tom McGuane, whose romantic entanglements became tabloid fodder, exemplified these challenges.

Loss of anonymity. Key West's increasing popularity as a tourist destination, partly due to the success of its resident artists, made it more difficult for creative individuals to maintain the privacy and isolation that had initially drawn them to the island.

7. The End of an Era: Gentrification and the Changing Face of Key West

"The immediate impact for me," Corcoran said, "was that rents went up."

Economic shifts. The success of Key West's artistic community and growing tourism industry led to rising property values and living costs. This made it increasingly difficult for artists and longtime residents to afford to stay on the island.

Cultural changes. The influx of wealthy newcomers and tourists began to alter Key West's bohemian character. The island's once-gritty charm gave way to a more polished, commercialized atmosphere.

Exodus of artists. Many of the writers and artists who had defined Key West's creative scene in the 1970s began to leave the island, seeking new inspiration or more affordable living situations elsewhere.

8. Legacy and Reflection: The Lasting Influence of Key West's Literary Scene

"Every time we get together, we're reminded of what a moment in time it was," McGuane says. "It's not like we haven't had other lives or haven't loved the rest of our lives, but that was unbelievably special. We all feel that way about it. We don't really know why. We were in a sympathetic culture to be an artist. That was really unique. It was a real chance to find out a lot in a short time in a small space."

Artistic impact. The work produced by Key West's literary community in the 1970s and early 1980s left a lasting mark on American literature. Authors like McGuane, Harrison, and Thompson created enduring works inspired by their time on the island.

Cultural memory. Key West's reputation as a creative haven has persisted, even as the island has changed. The legacy of its literary heyday continues to attract artists and writers seeking inspiration.

Personal growth. For many of the artists who lived in Key West during this period, the experience was transformative. Despite the challenges and excesses, many looked back on their time on the island as a crucial period of personal and artistic development.

Last updated: November 19, 2024