Books by our own Laura Albritton
Hidden History of the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys have witnessed all kinds of historical events, from the dramatic and the outrageous to the tragic and the comic. In the nineteenth century, uncompromising individuals fought duels and plotted political upsets.
During the Civil War, a company of "Key West Avengers" escaped their Union-occupied city to join the Confederacy by sailing through the Bahamas. In the early twentieth century, black Bahamians founded a town of their own, while railway engineers went up against the U.S. Navy in a bid to complete the Overseas Railroad. When Prohibition came to the Keys, one defiant woman established a rumrunning empire that dominated South Florida. Join Laura Albritton and Jerry Wilkinson as they delve into tales of treasure hunters, developers, exotic dancers, determined preservationists and more from the colorful history of the Florida Keys.
Available at local bookstores and on Amazon!
Key West's Duval Street
This delightful book from Arcadia Publishing celebrates the incredible history of Key West's Duval Street. With 200 endearing vintage photographs, this volume will be cherished by anyone who loved Key West and its
colorful, sometimes wild history!
Duval Street, the pulsing heart of historic Old Town, is one of the most legendary avenues in the United States. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, this iconic thoroughfare has seen everyone from Ulysses S. Grant to Ernest Hemingway.
Collecting remarkable archival photographs, Key West's Duval Street features famous buildings such as Key West's Oldest House, St. Paul's Church, the Southernmost House, the Strand Theater, the San Carlos Institute, and La Concha Hotel, along with fabled bars like Sloppy Joe's and the Bull & Whistle. This book celebrates the irrepressible spirit of a much-beloved American destination.
Now available on Amazon and locally in Key West at Island Books and Books & Books.
Marathon: the Middle Keys
Do you love the Florida Keys? Or need the perfect gift for someone who does? Check out this new book!
Written by Island Runaways' own travel blogger Laura Albritton and Florida Keys historian Jerry Wilkinson, Marathon: the Middle Keys captures the intriguing history of these beautiful islands with approximately 195 amazing vintage photographs. From the days when wreckers plied the Florida Reef to coming of the Overseas Railroad, the Middle Florida Keys have experienced a fascinating history.
The book also chronicles the adventures of early settlers and the subsequent tourism boom. Read about the creation of the Seven Mile Bridge, the Keynoter newspaper, the Dolphin Research Center, the Turtle Hospital, and much, much more!
Marathon: the Middle Keys is available in hardcover from Arcadia Publishing. Order your copy now on Amazon.
Miami for Families: A Vacation Guide for Parents and Kids
Ready to explore Miami -- and its islands -- with your family? Travel blogger and writer Laura Albritton has written a helpful and entertaining guidebook to the Magic City especially for parents traveling with children.
From the islands of Miami Beach and Key Biscayne to historic Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, Miami for Families ensures that you know where to go and what to see.
Whether you and your children want to kayak with manatees in Biscayne Bay, hand-feed macaws at Jungle Island, go paddle-boarding, windsurfing, or enjoy a stroll through Lincoln Road shops on South Beach, Laura helps you navigate and experience every corner of the bustling city.
Available in paperback from the University Press of Florida. To learn more, visit the book's website or order it today on Amazon!