The Nature Trails at Crane Point Museum

The story of George and Olivia Adderley begins in the 1890's when they, along with other Bahamians, sailed from the Bahamas to the Keys. They lived in the upper Keys for several years and subsequently came to Key Vaca where they purchased 32 acres in the area now known as Crane Point. Their home, which George built himself, is made of Tabby, a concrete like material made of burned conch and other shells. The Adderley house is of a classic Bahamian style and is the oldest house in the Keys outside of Key West.

The kitchen was a small building separated from the rest of the house for fear of fire. The Adderleys planted a kitchen garden with root vegetables, pigeon peas and fruit trees. George worked as a turtler, sponger, and made charcoal out of buttonwood. When George had accumulated a sufficient amount of saleable products he would sail to Key West with his wares and sell them, providing the family with cash. This site, which became known as Adderley Town, attracted other Bahamians. A 1906 railroad survey map shows ten houses in the area of Crane Point. When the developers of the Overseas Railroad asked residents to sign a release granting them a right of way through the property the residents declined to do so unless they were given a station. The railroad agreed and "Station Vaca" was created. After close to a half a century and the death of Olivia Adderley, George sold his property to the Cranes and moved to Key West.