Crossing the one-lane swing bridge onto Casey Key, the distinctive character of this lush tropical island envelops you. A sense of past, present and future are woven together as you travel the island’s winding sole two-lane road. This diminutive key is truly “one-of- a- kind” among Florida’s barrier islands.
With no traffic lights and less than 400 single family homes, residents feel as if they live on their own private island. The absence of expanding commercialism and high-rise condominiums greatly contributes to the island’s charm. In fact, over forty years ago the state of Florida, with “overwhelming support from the Casey Key property owners,” enacted the Casey Key Conservation Act, which designated most of the island to be a wildlife and marine sanctuary and prevents expansion of commercial business within the district. Wherever you go, this historic eight-mile sliver of land, at some points only a little more than 100 yards wide, provides endless glimpses of the surrounding waters.
The island is anchored on the south end by “North Jetty Park” with a historic bait shop, dispensing bait, beer and “fish tales” for over 60 years, and extraordinary jetties thrusting themselves over 600 feet into the clear sparkling Gulf waters. Since the 1930’s, these horizontal monoliths have protected the Venice Inlet and created great fishing, surfing and deep safe passage for offshore boaters returning to private and public moorings along Little Sarasota Bay, Dona Bay and Roberts Bay.
My husband and I found our way to Casey Key, 18 years ago. Eager to leave the hustle and bustle of downtown Washington, D.C., we were ready for a new adventure and searching for our perfect beach getaway, when we discovered Casey Key. As soon as I crossed the one-lane swing bridge onto the island and I saw the bougainvillea in full bloom, and no traffic to speak of, I said immediately, “stop the car . . . this is it . . . we’re not leaving until we find our house.”
Casey Key Fish House
The immediate sense of peace and tranquility that Casey Key embodied as my first impression, has withstood the test of time. Casey Key remains the special place we stumbled upon 18 years ago. You can walk your dog on the beach, and there are no deed restrictions for the majority of the island. We feel as if we live on our very own private island. It just doesn’t get any better than having the Gulf of Mexico as your front yard and Little Sarasota Bay as your back yard.
We also have easy access to dining and shopping in Venice, which is 10 minutes away, and the cultural mecca of Sarasota is a mere 15 miles north of the island. Access to I-75 is also just minutes from the island’s south bridge.
Over the years this tranquil island’s waterfront property, privacy and safety have attracted families, retired CEOs, entrepreneurs and celebrities, many of whom have built magnificent estates and luxurious homes discretely nestled in the seclusion of the natural tropical flora. Some of the more famous Casey Key homeowners have included Martina Navratilova, and best-selling author Stephen King, whose 2008 novel, “Duma Key,” has Casey Key as its setting.
Smaller, older homes are still found, amicably co-existing among the multi-million dollar neighbor estates. Local area families continue to be drawn to Casey Key, as well as families from distant locations, such as the United Kingdom and Canada. Since 2010, fifty-six properties have changed ownership.
The Treasure Island Bridge connects the mainland with the northern section of the key. Built in 1923, the bridge is one of the few “one-lane rotating swing bridges” still in use today. Residents love the historic old bridge, which occasionally slows traffic, but serves as a sentinel, reminding all that pass … life on the island is a special retreat.
When I come home from a hectic day and cross the swing bridge, I feel a sense of peace and tranquility that cannot be explained. Not everyone who considers Casey Key “gets it”…those who do tend to stay forever.