The Green Turtle Inn is a great stop going into the Keys and it is located at 81219 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL.
The Green Turtle Inn was originally called the Rustic Inn and it was built by a Mr. Berlin Felton, who was born in key west in 1908.
Felton married Eloise Carey in 1929 and moved to the Upper Matecumbe area in Islamorada and built the Rustic Inn. It offered small cottages for overnight guests and a small restaurant featuring green turtle steaks and green turtle chowder. During prohibition, rumors are they served drinks stronger than the law allowed. Although it was built by Berlin Felton, O.D. King was operating the Inn when it was destroyed in the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane.
The 200 MPH hurricane, with an 18 foot tidal surge, lightly passed over the Rustic Inn, meaning it was still recognizable after the storm had passed. It was severely damaged and needed serious renovations. It was one of only a handful of structures not completely obliterated when the Cat 5 practically scrubbed the Matecumbe keys clean.
The Inn was sold in 1947 to Sid and Roxie Siderious who transformed it into what is today...The Green Turtle Inn. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. The food is great. Try the Shrimp & Grits for breakfast.
*Felton, meanwhile, along with partner Alonzo Cothron, went on to open the iconic A&B Lobster House in Key West in 1947. As with many of the greatest stories, they had a vision to transform Key West’s waterfront – and had the heart, talent, and determination to bring that vision to life, more than 70 years ago. A&B Lobster House has been opened for over 70 years.
