In Brief - Key West, FL

TIME ZONE: Eastern
AREA CODE: 305
FOUNDED: 1828
POPULATION: 25,478
AIRPORT: Key West Int'l Airport (EYW)
WEBSITE: www.fla-keys.com

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BY THE NUMBERS

41 degrees Fahrenheit is the coldest recorded temperature in Key West (January 1981)

160 miles of coral reef off the Keys, the third longest reef in the world

3 number of Civil War forts that are located in Key West

2,376 length, in miles, of US Route 1, which runs from Key West up the East Coast to Fort Kent, ME

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NEWS FLASH

Where There's Smoke... /// Slated for an early 2012 opening, the Key West Fire House Museum, located in what was an active fire station until 1998, will feature vintage firefighting artifacts and one of only two remaining coal pits in a fire engine bay in the entire country. Today, no one quite remembers what it was used for.

Picture Perfect /// Islamorada's Postcard Inn Resort & Marina just completed an $10.6 million renovation. With new landscaping and boathouse-chic rooms, the 143-room, oceanfront property recreates a retro American beach vacation on a lush tropical resort. The best improvement, though, is the fresh lemonade and cotton candy welcome snack. www.holidayisle.com

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CULTURE CALENDAR

Jan. 15-20 QUANTUM KEY WEST 2012
Keep your fingers crossed for blue skies and wind, as more than 100 crews compete the 25th grand prix regatta over a 2-mile stretch offthe southern coast of Key West. During the five-day event, boats will sail in as many as 10 races, with competition as stiffas the breeze. www.premiere-racing.com

Through Jan. 22 FLAGLER CENTENNIAL
Grandpa may claim that he walked to the mainland, uphill and barefoot. But even before Key West was connected by the highway, there was a railroad — the first over-sea railway, which was completed 100 years ago this month. The Flagler Centennial commemorates oil tycoon Henry Flagler's pet project with events like a swanky gala at the Casa Marina and a parade that features a replica of the original railcar. www.flaglerkeys100.com