Back in the early 1900s, only accessible by boat, the islands held an air of exclusivity. Word spread that only those deeply in love would journey to this enchanting spot, hence the moniker Lovers Key. Not until 1965 did a road materialize, connecting the land to the mainland.

Per local lore, Black Island owes its name to the enigmatic figure of Black Augustus, a one-time pirate who, after narrowly evading capture, found solace in calling this island his permanent abode. It is said that from the early 1900s up to the late 1950s, fish camps dotted the shores of Black Island, telling stories of bygone eras.

The specter of development loomed over the four barrier islands during the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s. The rush towards progress left scars on the pristine landscape as preparations for construction altered the very essence of the islands. Once lush mangrove swamps gave way to uplands as a canal was dredged through Black Island.

A turning point came in 1983 when the state intervened, acquiring the islands to preserve their natural beauty. A defining merger in 1996 saw the birth of Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park, a unification with the adjacent Carl E. Johnson County Park in a bid to safeguard this haven for generations to come.