Ballast Key, Florida (), is the southernmost point in the continental United States. It is also the only privately owned land within the boundaries of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge.

Ballast Key

Located near the end of the Florida Keys, it is among several small islands that are 9 miles south of Key West. Because the island's 26 acres are privately owned by David W. Wolkowsky through the David W Wolkowsky Trust, Key West is incorrectly assumed to be the southernmost point in the U.S.

The island has been the private retreat of Mr. Wolkowsky,a Key West resident, for over 50 years. Because of his age (86 years), he placed the island for sale in 2006. He is asking $9,400,000.00.

The island has been the haunt of the Who’s Who visiting nearby Key West. The most famous guest of the island was Tennessee Williams. "It was a refuge for him to escape the big city life of Key West. He would bring a bottle of red wine, paint and listen to Billie Holiday," said the owner. "I found him to be very alive, very honest and very vulnerable. He could feel quite anonymous here." Mr. Wolkowsky was a pallbearer at Williams' funeral. Williams also lured other famous friends to the island such as Truman Capote, Carson McCullers, Lillian Hellman, British actress Jean Marsh, and Dick Cavett.

The island had a cameo appearance in the Bond movie “License to Kill”.

The island features four bedrooms & a master suite with a fully equipped three bedroom guesthouse overlooking a palm tree lined beach. Water is supplied by desalinization.

The island is being offered for sale by Coldwell Banker Morrison's Private Islands http://www.luxuryrealestate.com/560251

Note - Ballast Key is private and landing is forbidden to the public. The US Government has placed most of the Key area surrounding Ballast Key off limits. You are even forbidden from anchoring off neighboring Man and Woman Keys in the Sand - even if you don't go ashore. Anchoring off the South part of Boca Grande is forbidden as well, except the NW portion.

Listed as Private Offshore Island - Monroe County Florida Tax Assessor

Legal Description 16 68 23 EE68316-01 BALLAST KEY LOT 1 UNSURVEYED OR552-850 OR552-852 OR665-376/377 OR1742-1461/70Q/C

Section, Township, Range 16 - 68 - 23

Millage Group 5000

PC Code 01 - SINGLE FAMILY

Building Details

Number of Buildings: 2 Total

Living Area: 3260 sq ft

Land Details:

Land Use Code/Land Area

010W - RES WATERFRONT/5 Acres

000X - ENVIRONMENTALLY SENS/19 Acres

Florida Keys