History of the Lab

The Keys Marine Laboratory and Long Key, the island on which it resides, have had a long and interesting history, with periods of calm and prosperity punctuated by the destruction rendered by hurricanes, which in some ways describes the history of the Keys in general. An interesting mix of occupants have resided at the KML site over the years, culminating with the construction of the laboratory facilities you see today. If you are interested in a more thorough history of Long Key and the Keys in general, there are several excellent books and websites detailing the history of this area. Check out the Keys Historeum online at www.keyshistory.org.

KML Timeline

2025

• In May, nearly 1100 baby elkhorn corals (Acropora palmata) arrived from The Florida Aquarium to be placed into ocean-based nurseries operated by project partners. They are destined to be planted at NOAA’s Mission: Iconic Reefs sites within the NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

• Shark research from Australia collaborating with FAU

• Seasonal Ciguatera sampling by Dr. Michael Parsons Lab/Florida Gulf coast researchers – since 2008

• Seasonal sawfish monitoring and tagging by Dr. Dean Grubbs/Florida State University since 2010

2024

• Fall: Long-spined urchin grow-out project at KML – Dr Josh Patterson/University of Florida

2023

• KML facility approved in USF Master Plan as a USF Satellite Campus

• KML concept design drawings to expand capacity at KML; To create a satellite campus destination that supports academic, science, and community engagement by offering a storm-hardened, resilient and sustainable, pre-eminent marine field station that serves the local, state, regional, and international scientific communities.

• May 2023: Florida Atlantic University shark researcher team returns to refurbished Shallows at KML; Nat Geo filming for Shark Week/Shark Attack 360

• July 2023 – Coral bleaching event on Florida’s Coral Reef  – Emergency Coral Rescue

2022

• USF Scientific Diving proficiency class at KML

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2020

• March-July KML closed due to COVID Pandemic

• July: FWC funding for Keys Marine Laboratory infrastructure expansion to support coral restoration; To add capacity for the temporary storage of newly propagated corals arriving into the Florida Keys that will be outplanted on coral reefs in response to the loss of corals from disease; new temperature-controlled FWC Coral Rescue & Restoration Seawater System (FWC-CRRSS) completed Mar 2022.

2019

• September: NSF funding for infrastructure improvement, repair, and resurface the 250,000-gal seawater mesocosm (aka The Shallows) and add a new shade structure and seawater system (twenty 249-gal tables)

2018

• Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) treatment experiments at KML and disease mitigation on the reef; time-release antibiotic paste application

• Florida’s Coral Rescue Project – targeted 15 species affected by SCTLD; collected 2,000 corals to create a land-based genetic bank for Florida’s Coral Reef; partnered with NOAA, FDEP, FWC/FWRI,KML, Florida Aquarium, AZA Zoos and Aquariums across the USA. This is still an ongoing project as of 2025.

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2017

• September Hurricane Irma flooding and storm surge

2016

• January – March Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease in the Upper Keys

2015

• In May of 2015, Keys Marine Laboratory transitioned from FWC/FIO partnership to be fully operated by FIO.

• Pillar Coral Genetic Rescue Project – fragments collected and stabilized at KML before transport to Florida Aquarium and other land-based facilities. Project lasts through 2020.

2014

• Global Coral Bleaching Event resulted in high coral mortality and deterioration of coral reefs globally; reef-wide coral bleaching on Florida’s Coral Reef Summer 2014 & Summer 2015.

2013

• New KML temperature-controlled seawater system – 28 tables, 40-gal to 500-gal capacity completed May 2015; funded by National Science Foundation (NSF)

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2005

• The lab was highly active for more than a decade, right up until October 24, 2005, when Hurricane Wilma made landfall at Cape Romano, FL as a category 3 storm. Although landfall was several hundred miles away, the storm surge into Florida Bay completely flooded the lab with 4 to 5 feet of water, cresting at the top of the Overseas Hwy.

• After Wilma, cleanup and construction of a completely refurbished marine lab began. First, clean-up of the debris from the storm and ruined buildings was necessary. Once the grounds were cleared, the construction of the new lab proceeded. This included, most importantly, the construction of a reinforced concrete seawall and dock for the marina and lagoon near the wet lab. During the construction of the new seawall and docks, the dorms, labs, classroom, administration building, and shop were all refurbished, and the seawater system was completely redesigned. All of this finished with a coating of fresh gravel, finishing up the new look and feel of the lab. While improvement projects continued, the lab was back to full-time status 4 years after the storm in 2009.

1991

• The Keys Marine Laboratory was dedicated and commenced its official joint state agency operations on February 1, 1991. During this time period, despite aging facilities left over from Sea World, the lab flourished, supporting research and education groups from all over the state of Florida and from institutes from other parts of the country such as Georgia, New York, Alabama, and Virginia.

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1988

• The Nature Conservancy purchases the facility from Sea World and holds the property for FWC/FIO.

FIO formed partnership with DNR (now FWC) to jointly manage the new Keys Marine Lab.

In addition, scientists from other states were encouraged to use the facility, and many became regular users. This relationship continued until Sea World determined that the property had to be liquidated. Based on its academic interests and involvement in the property, FIO surveyed the research and education community statewide and concluded that there was a substantial user community dependent on the continued availability of KML for a variety of research and academic programs. In addition, a broader regional survey suggested a much larger potential user community existed for a “full service” marine laboratory with access to the unique ecosystems of south Florida, Florida Bay, and the Florida Keys chain.

The state decided to make a move and in 1988, The Nature Conservancy actually purchased the facility from Sea World until the necessary legislation was in place. A coalition was forged between the FIO and FWC to jointly own and operate the KML as a combined state-owned research and education facility, thereby justifying the substantial capital outlay required.

The State of Florida completed purchase of the facility in August 1990, and the FIO entered into a formal inter-agency agreement with the FWC to operate the facility under joint jurisdiction of FIO and the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI).

1986

• FIO formed partnership with DNR (now FWC) to jointly manage the new Keys Marine Lab.

1983

• In July, 1983, the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), a consortium under the State University System of Florida entered into a cooperative agreement with Sea World to use the facility for research and education programs for Florida’s state universities.
• Long Key Shark Festival held at Shark Institute – fund raiser for Upper Keys Children’s Shelter.

1982

• Sea World facility on Long Key closes to the public after proving to be unprofitable but continues its internal research and animal husbandry projects as Shark Research Institute.

1978

• In 1978, the property changed hands again as Sea World of Florida develops Sea World Shark Institute as a public attraction & research center on the site of the Layton Marina.

1976

• Long Key post office moves across the street into the new building across from what is now KML.

1974

• In the mid-1970’s, the property was run for a brief time as a novelty store called “Gilligan’s Island”. It is rumored that Del Layton often crossed US 1 brandishing his shot gun at the “hippies” in residence.

1967

• Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) was established in 1967 by the Florida Board of Regents to place Florida scientists at the forefront of efforts to understand and protect the oceans. FIO became an Academic Infrastructure Support Organization (AISO) in 2009 with the University of South Florida designated as its host institution. The University Marine Consortium that makes up FIO’s membership is currently comprised of 21 full members, including the Florida State University System (SUS), private universities and institutes, state agencies (FDEP, FWC), and 12 other associate and affiliate member organizations that collectively unite more than 800 marine scientists across the State.

1965

• Hurricane Betsy passes over the Upper Keys on Sept 8th, 1965.

1963

• City of Layton becomes 3rd oldest incorporated city in Monroe County, Del Layton elected the 1st mayor.

1962

• Layton post office officially becomes Long Key Post Office.

1960

• September 10th, 1960, Hurricane Donna – 13’ storm surge on Long Key; Long Key settlement referred to as “Layton” during the rebuilding efforts.

1958

• 10 active businesses housed in the original concrete buildings (including grocery store, bait shop, post office, motel).

1957

• 1st of 6 canals dug in Long Key Estates.

1950

• Layton buys additional 40 acres and sub-divides 150 lots to become Long Key Estates (oceanside of US 1).

1949

• Layton Marina and Bait & Tackle (now KML Admin building) and Layton’s Long Key Fish Camp with 9 cabins.

1947

• Running water supplied to Layton’s Long Key Cottages from the Navy pipeline.

1946

• First cottages transported to Long Key – wooden war surplus buildings 16’ x 16.

1945

• Del Layton purchases 40 acres on Long Key for new Long Key Fish Camp

1938

• Overseas Highway built over old railroad bed and bridges.

1935

• After WWII Del and Mary Layton, Grocery Store owners from Miami, purchased 40 acres of land on Long Key. Layton increased the size of his holdings and established a restaurant and cabins, which eventually became “Layton’s Long Key Fishing Camp.” In 1963, Layton was officially incorporated, although Layton’s efforts to change the name of the post office failed. At the KML Site, a busy marina ran through the 1950’s and 60’s. 

• On Labor Day, 1935, one of the strongest hurricanes ever to strike the continental US hits the upper keys. The Unnamed Labor Day Hurricane hits shore packing winds of 185mph and a storm surge of up to 35 feet. The eye passed directly over the Long Key Fishing Camp and wiped away everything but the memory. The communities on and surrounding Long Key are devastated and over 400 lives are lost. The railroad is shut down and work begins to build the overseas highway on the former rail-bed.

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1917

In March of 1917, the Long Key Fishing Club is officially formed with Zane Grey serving as president.

1911

• The author Zane Grey spends his first winter fishing on Long Key.

1908, Dec 28

• First post office is established on Long Key.

1907

• Construction of Long Key Viaduct is completed

1906, Oct 17

• Hurricane strikes Long Key, work crew lodging boat breaks loose.

1905, Late

• Construction of Long Key Viaduct begins.

1885

• Most of Long Key purchased for coconut plantations.

1864

• In charts published by Edmund Blunt, the authority for navigation at that time, present day Long Key is labeled “Long Island,” soon to be known as Long Key.

1800’s – 1935

From the Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys

• Early Spanish charts show Long Key as Cayo Vivora or Bivora, which meant Viper Key, a name it kept for a long time. The Blunt chart of 1864 named it Long Island that eventually became Long Key. Between 1880 and 1885, brothers Thomas and Edward Hines, and Samuel Filer purchased most of the island and planted coconut trees on the southern end for producing anchor lines. As part of the Key West Extension to the Florida East Coast Railway, work began on the Long Key Viaduct. Shortly after, in 1906 a hurricane struck, washing a crew boat out to sea, where it broke up and 67 workers were lost. After completion of the railroad, the Long Key stop serviced the Long Key Fishing Camp, where the famous writer Zane Grey often vacationed.

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Prehistory – 1800’s

From the Florida Geological Survey

1.8 million years ago, a shallow sea covered what is now south Florida. From that time to about 10,000 years ago, often called the Pleistocene “Ice Ages,” world sea levels underwent many fluctuations of several hundred feet, both above and below present sea level. Colonies of coral became established in the shallow sea along the rim of the broad, flat Florida Platform and the subtropical climate allowed the corals to grow rapidly and in great abundance, forming reefs. As sea levels fluctuated, the corals maintained footholds along the edge of the platform; their reefs grew upward when sea level rose, and colonies retreated to lower depths when sea levels fell. During times of rising sea levels, dead reefs provided good foundations for new coral growth. The last major drop in sea level exposed the ancient reefs, which are the present day Florida Keys island chain.

125K BP

High water mark, seawater levels cover most of present-day South Florida.

20K BP

Low water mark, most of the Florida Shelf exposed.

6K BP

Present day reefs are flooded as ocean rises to its current level.

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