The Bat Tower historic landmark, built in 1929 on Sugarloaf Key, was the brain-child of Florida Keys pioneer and fishing lodge owner Richter Perky. Mosquitos were thick in the area, and Perky built the tower to house bats who he envisioned would live in it and feast on the malaria threatening insects. He got the plans to build the structure from Texas based scientist, Charles Campbell who was an expert on bats.
As the story goes, the Bat Tower was erected and the bats were collected and placed with the expectation they would get to work naturally eradicating the bugs. But much to the chagrin of everyone involved, the bats flew away to never return, and that was the end of that.
Take the time to stop by and see this historic structure when you drive the Overseas Highway. Its a short trip from Key West, at Mile Marker 17, not far from Sugarloaf Lodge on the Gulf of Mexico side of the road.
