Key West Historic District, Heritage district in Old Town Key West, United States

The Key West Historic District, also called Old Town, covers roughly the western half of Key West island. First listed on March 11, 1971, it was expanded on February 24, 1983 to 5,400 acres bounded by Emma, Whitehead, White and South Streets, Mallory Square and the Atlantic Ocean, and holds 2,485 historic buildings and four structures, among them the Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea.

The area grew in the 1800s as a trading port and prospered through salvaging shipwrecks, cigar manufacturing, and fishing industries. Official recognition of its historical importance came later in the 20th century when authorities moved to protect the buildings and their stories.

Old Town takes its name from the historic district that covers roughly the western half of Key West island, where the central business district and most tourist attractions sit. Among the 2485 historic buildings listed after the 1983 expansion are Captain Tony's Saloon, Sloppy Joe's and the Ernest Hemingway House, stops on the town's literary and nightlife circuit.

Walking is the best way to explore the neighborhood since most streets are narrow and shaded trees are scattered throughout. Bring water and sun protection, and consider visiting early in the day or later in the afternoon when temperatures are more comfortable.

The district's boundaries reach the water: the 1971 designation was bounded partly by the Gulf of Mexico, and the 1983 expansion added Mallory Square and the Atlantic Ocean as limits. Mallory Square, on the harbor, is among the listed points of interest inside the district.