Description: Key West has a colorful history. It was the beachhead that protected the United States from the Soviet Union and Cuba in the 1960s, its literary and music scenes attracted and developed writers, artists, and musicians in the 1970s, and it seceded from the Union and created a new nation, the Conch Republic, in the 1980s. Through the rest of the decades to the present, festivals, celebrations, and revelries have drawn tourists here year-round and supported the Conchs, the key's residents. The vibrant community, people and places, military presence, and significant historic sites make Key West one of the most interesting places in the United States.
Brief description: Frances Watson Clark first came to Key West as a tourist with her family in the early 1960s. Over the years, she returned with friends and then with her children to enjoy the balmy weather, interesting people, and historic places. In 2009, she became a part-time resident after purchasing a historic home in "Old Town." With the Modern Images of America series, Frances is continuing the story of Key West from the 1960s to the present. Reaching out to people in the community, she has brought together a variety of pictures and stories that bring the island to life.