Key West's cemetery sits in the middle of the island, just east of Old Town, and covers 19 acres that have been in use since 1847. The original cemetery was destroyed in the hurricane of 1846; bodies were moved to this higher ground and the new cemetery was established. Because the island has almost no soil depth — the limestone bedrock is close to the surface — most bodies are buried in above-ground vaults, giving the cemetery an unusual visual character.
The epitaphs are the main draw: a self-guided walking tour map is available at the entrance. Beyond the famous humorous graves, there are sections for Cuban veterans, Civil War soldiers, and the victims of the 1898 USS Maine explosion in Havana harbour. The cemetery is shaded by large trees and is surprisingly peaceful given its location in a busy residential neighbourhood.