The Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant sits on the highest elevation in southwest Florida. Towering at 38 feet above sea level, it reaches this lofty height because it was built on top of a huge 30 foot high mound of shells left by ancient Indians.
This remote hideaway is old Florida, with mangroves instead of white sand beaches, and is reachable only by boat or helicopter. The main building was built as a home by mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart in 1938, but today is a restaurant crowded every day with people enjoying the famous cheeseburgers. It is said that Jimmy Buffett was inspired to write "Cheeseburger in Paradise" here.
The most remarkable feature of the place is the over 70,000 autographed one dollar bills that cover every square inch of the walls and ceilings of the bar and dining room, including those signed by Kevin Costner, Julia Roberts, and supposedly John F. Kennedy. The tradition was reportedly started by a local fisherman who taped up a dollar bill in the bar to be sure he'd have enough for a beer when he returned, and it continues today. As I watched at lunchtime I saw 9 new bills go up!
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