Sir Peter Anderson

Sir Peter Anderson




Thirty years ago a man named Peter Anderson arrived in Key West and Key West has been the benefactor ever since. Several years after his arrival, Peter Anderson  was appointed by the mayor, saloon owner Captain Tony, as the Secretary General of the Conch Republic. He was also knighted by the King of the Conch Republic, Mel Fisher, thus carrying the title of "Sir Peter Anderson", of which he was very proud indeed.

His first main focus in being the Secretary General first was to ensure the floundering Conch Republic Days, the celebration of the independence of the Conch Republic, would continue on. This he did extraordinarily well and because of his gallant efforts over the years, to this day the festival is booming! He also started the Conch Republic Days Parade! Yahoo!!!


(Sir Peter Anderson leads the 1998 Conch Republic Parade. Picture by Rob O'Neil)

My first introduction to Sir Peter was in 2006, I think it was? Because of the idiotic rules that the U.S. has for Cuban immigrants.( if they come here by boat or raft as immigrants, they must land on U.S. soil. If intercepted on water, they are repatriated to Cuba) In this case, a group of Cubans sailed on a raft to the U.S. and landed on one of the abutments of the Seven Mile Bridge here in the Florida Keys. Because they didn't reach dry land, but rather one of the supports for the old bridge, they were collected and sent back to Cuba. Sir Peter consequently went to the Seven Mile Bridge and declared it Sovereign Conch Republic Territory. The rest of the Conch Republic territory, from the Dry Tortugas through all of the Keys, is joint U.S.and  Conch Republic. However, as the U.S. did not recognize the old Seven Mile Bridge as territory and sending the Cubans back, Sir Peter claimed is as sovereign Conch Republic. Additionally, his proposal was to build affordable housing on top of it! Apparently, somewhere there are architectural plans drawn up for it!

For me, a songwriter living in Miami at the time, with a serious eye on moving to the Keys, this was too good to pass up, so I wrote a song about it! It actually was supposed to be on my album "Shanghai'd and Marooned in Key West (things could be worse)" but on the day we were completing the rhythm section of the tracks on the CD, I was just completely out of gas, so to speak and when Richard Crooks said "Ok! What do we have next? The Seven Mile Bridge" I was just too tired and it never was recorded.

I do have a demo however and here it is:



While writing the song, I contacted Sir Peter for the first time. What I found was a man who possesed the very rare combination of a completely off the wall sense of humor, combined with an intelect that was very clearly far into the genious level. Now, take these two very uncommon attributes and add to it the fact that the man was anchored, as solid as concrete, with, get this: common sense and logic. Plus, he was a great proponent of having fun and incorporating fun into everything he did. 

After I moved here, one of my first order of business was to meet Sir Peter Anderson in person. This didn't take too long as he was a part of the 2008 Phlockers Gone Wild party at the Blue Heaven restaurant's outside stage area. He swore in the entire crowd there , with beer in hand, as Conch Republic citizens! The lead off picture of this blog, is him doing so that day.
Here's another picture from that day, Sir Peter can be seen in white at the bar.



Sir Peter also came up with all of the utterly fantastic sayings you'll hear regarding the Conch Republic. Things like "A Sovereign State of Mind",  "We Seceded Where Others Have Failed", and "The Mitigation of World Tension Through the Exercise of Humor". Sir Peter also got the Conch Republic passports rolling. I am a proud holder of one of these.

He also set up the Conch Republic website. Be sure to check it out!

http://conchrepublic.com/

The Conch Republic flag was also Sir Peter's doing. Back when I made my business cards I asked permission to use it for the card. Naturally, without hesitation he said "Of course!" after a moment he said "Would you do me a favor? Would you mind putting 'Used with permission' under it? It can be microscopic if you want. All I ask is that it's there". I immediately said absolutely and it's been on the cards since they've first been printed.






Sir Peter was as well, a great proponent and organizer of good causes and charatible events, such as Reef Relief, of which he was elected president and  Habitat for Humanity.

I don't think I would get any arguments at all if I stated that Sir Peter Anderson was the biggest proponent of the Conch Republic itself. He actually was able to make a living out of it. He was a true ambassador for this silly little country, this "fifth world state of mind" as he also acronymed it.


(Sir Peter Anderson explains the history of the Conch Republic at Schooner Wharf Bar)

His actions tought me a lot. As this little archipelago of islands, I quickly came to believe, having a long extensive sales background, that it is all of our responsibilities, to do our part in promoting the Conch Republic. That's why I write this blog for the most part. Chances are actually maybe one in a hundred that individually we might gain somthing ourselves out of it. However we don't do it for ourselves, we do it for all of us who live on these islands. "The needs of the many out weighs the needs of the few" as Mr. Spok had said. Being the wise, logical, man that I saw him as, when I spoke up on a subject Sir Peter spoke on, I'd always bang the same drum. Sir Peter always had the best interests of all and the Conch Republic at hand.

On a funny note: I recall several years ago I had heard that Mel Fisher had been the King of the Conch Republic, however he had passed away and I couldn't find who was the current king. So, naturally I asked Sir Peter and he gave a very quick answer, without hesitation. "Mel Fisher!" was his retort. So I said "Well, Mel Fisher has been gone for several years." and he answered "Yeah, so?" and I naturally replied "So even though he's dead, he's still the king?" and Sir Peter answered "Of course!!" I laughed my ass off! It's that sort of humor that just encompass the Conch Republic.

Any conversation I've ever had with Sir Peter was always peppered with laughter, from both of us. Humor was one of our similar attributes and in our conversations it reared it's ridiculous head all the time. His favorite regular spot to watch the Key West sunset was always Louie's Backyard and he was always enjoying a quality beer... another similar attribute we shared!

On Tuesday, 16th of July, 2014 we lost Sir Peter Anderson to cancer. Back in October he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Ironically, from a man who never smoked. Unfair as it was, he fought a gallant battle and won on many fronts.  He was back from the hospital and was in at least two parade events and a ridiculouse running event that went across the Cow Key Bridge from Key West to Stock Island... about 100 yards!


On my next batch of cards the release will be augmented to:
 "Used with permission of Sir Peter Anderson"

Godspeed Sir Peter! It was an honor ato know you and you were a true inspiration. Thank you!

Sometimes when in the presence of greatness, one only realizes after they are gone. This was never the case with Sir Peter Anderson. I knew it from the start. For this man knew how to have FUN!!!

And in closing I will quote Sir Peter Anderson:

"Long Live The Conch Republic and Long Live  Every One of You"



(Picture by Ralph DePalma)








To obtain my music:

My CD is available on iTunes, CD Baby, CD Universe, Rhapsody, and Beachfront Radio.
Search: Key West Chris

Thank you everyone!!

Seven Mile Bridge, Moving, Amazing Musician Blunder, I'm in a novel!

.^listen to the"7 Mile Bridge" song as you read the blog!^

THE SEVEN MILE BRIDGE

When the 7 Seven Mile Bridge was originally constructed spanning from Knight's Key in Marathon, to Little Duck Key over one hundred years ago, it was the longest bridge on earth. It was attributed the moniker “The Eighth Wonder of the World” at the time. When it was originally built, it was a railroad bridge, part of the Overseas Railroad, built by Henry Flagler who wanted the deep sea port in Key West, linked to the mainland.

(Pictures from the Monroe County Public Library)

The bridge was opened for business in 1912 as part of The Florida East Coast Railway and operated as such until a hurricane in 1935 wiped out a lower section of the railway in the Keys in Islamorada, rendering the railroad useless. The bridge system was sold to the state of Florida for $600K, then converted to be used for trucks and cars, making it The Overseas Highway.

The Overseas Highway was opened in 1938 and built on the existing railroad bridge bed and bridges. It was quite narrow and often was the case that trucks heading in opposite directions would lose their rear view mirrors to each other. It should be noted that the bridge system that runs from the mainland to Key West consists of forty two bridges and the Seven Mile Bridge is only one of those, albeit naturally, the most famous.

(State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/6883)

Of course legends and stories abound about the old bridge and everyone who traveled on it, will never forget it for two reasons. One, it certainly got your attention when faced with oncoming traffic that passed mere inches to spare, door to door.  Two, the incredible view of the tropical Atlantic on your left as you traveled south and the Gulf of Mexico/Florida Bay on your right. One story that always caught my ear was that of the tender of the draw bridge. The legend goes that he had been the tender of the draw bridge for something like thirty years. It is said he had plans to retire and was actually relieved of duty the day before the old bridge was put out of commission. He however elected to work the final day of operation. The tender’s quarters was heated (when needed) with a propane heater. Somehow on that last day there was a fire in the tender’s quarters and the propane tank exploded, killing the tender and burning it to cinders on that last day of operation. I can’t say if the story is true or fiction, but it’s certainly a curious tale indeed!

(State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/6883 7 Mile Bridge’s Drawbridge. Picture from the Cory McDonald Collection)

In March of 1982 the new Seven Mile Bridge was opened. The replacement of all of the bridges was started earlier, with the first new bridge completed at Bahia Honda, replacing the old railroad structure.

The new Seven Mile Bridge is a modern highway, with more than ample room for vehicles to drive in opposite directions and even room for a break down vehicle to sit, if an ominous fate awaited a vehicle traversing the span.

(old and new Seven Mile Bridges)

The old bridge stayed in one piece, more or less. The center draw bridge was removed, as well as a couple of sections to prevent those with mischievous intent from going further, from either side, the north side being just after the bridge crosses over Pigeon Key.

( Seven Mile Bridge crossing Pigeon Key)

Over the years the bridge was just left to founder on its own. A few movie scenes have been shot here and Pigeon Key, I’m guessing about a mile out, is still active as a museum.

In 2006, a group of Cuban rafters, seeking asylum in the U.S. landed on the bridge. The U.S. law states that they have to land on U.S. soil, and did not recognize the Seven Mile Bridge as U.S. soil. Even though the bridge is listed as one of the   National Register of Historic Places  in the U.S.  they were sent back to Cuba.

Just after this happened, Sir Peter Anderson, Secretary General of the Conch Republic, went down and declared the bridge sovereign Conch Republic territory, as it clearly was not recognized as U.S. territory. In addition, Sir Peter had come up with a plan to build affordable housing on the bridge! There are said to be plans for the houses as well!

Hpwever, the song that leads off this blog today, “The Seven Mile Bridge”, is about that incident. These days Sir Peter Anderson is afflicted with cancer and we all wish him the very best in his battle. He has brought much laughter, business, fun, and logic to these islands, for which we’re all very grateful for. Thank You Sir Peter!

I will also do a future blog on the entire bridge chain which allows all of us to “Island Hop”  over one hundred miles out to sea.

MOVING

Well, after five years in the converted church apartment, it was time to move. The landlord was foreclosed on and the bank made a settlement with me, as a tenant, in order to leave, so they could free the property up for sale. This worked out well actually. With my girlfriend Dani moving in last December, the place would always be “my apartment”. Getting something new would be “ours”. It was one of these” gun to the head” situations. The agreement I signed with the bank stipulated that we would be out of the property “by March 30”. For those who live outside of the Keys, the month of March is a very difficult time to find a place to live, as it’s the height of the tourist season. For us, this was no exception.  Making a long story short, we found a place with only days to spare. Honestly, I had envisioned us having to rent a storage facility for our belongings and camping out in my conversion van until we found a place!

We had looked at places as far as 23 miles up the Keys, but ended up finding an ideal place right around the corner from where we lived. I would often joke “I live 90 miles and three blocks from Havana” being as I lived right up the street from the Southernmost Point. Well, now we live 90 miles and two blocks from Havana. HA HA!

Moving is always an ordeal and we’re glad it’s behind us, thrilled we’re still in the same neighborhood!

Someone upstairs is looking out for us! Thanks!

One of the benefits of moving! HA HA!

AMAZING MUSICIAN BLUNDER

Several weeks ago I was playing a benefit at a bar where a lot of other performers were involved with as well. There was a group on before us and when they were done one of the members says into the microphone “Hey! We’re heading up the street to play at XYZ Bar! Come up and see us there”

Or in real terms “Hey! We’re playing at XYZ Bar next. Stop buying everything here, leave and take your business elsewhere!”

Remarkable really.

I'M IN A NOVEL!

Glasgow, Scotland based author Jon Breakfield has just released his latest book, Key West part II. This of course follows Key West, his first, in what perhaps will become a series? We'll see! Jon also has three other books out, "Death in Glasgow", "Naked Europe", and "Liverpool.... Texas? London... Arkansas? A Short Story". In Key West part II You'll find me in the book! What a combination of a hoot and an honor! Thank you Jon!

I have no doubt that you'll find Jon's books quite entertaining! One amazing thing that all of Jon's characters in the book are real people! You never know, you may even be in it! Be sure to check this one out at Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J0FTOC6


And a link to all of Jon's books at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jon%20Breakfield

To obtain my music:

My CD is available on iTunes, CD Baby, CD Universe, Rhapsody, and Beachfront Radio.

Search: Key West Chris

Thank you everyone!!