Exploring Key West will bring us on an exciting journey through time. Basking in the golden Florida sun, this slice of paradise holds a rich tapestry of history tucked in every corner. This article unravels the mysteries and the stories behind Key West’s most notable historic sites. From the maritime marvel of Fort Zachary Taylor to the literary legacy left by Ernest Hemingway, it’s like stepping into various scenes straight from a historical novel. So, buckle up and join us in unveiling what historical sites Key West has to offer.
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
History of Ernest Hemingway’s residence
Ernest Hemingway’s residence in Key West is deeply rooted in the life and work of the renowned author. In the 1930s, Hemingway called this place home, helping to shape the literary world with novels such as “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “The Old Man and The Sea.” Interestingly, the property was initially built in 1851 by shipbuilder and wrecker Asa Tift.
Preservation as a Museum
In 1968, seven years after Hemingway’s demise, this Spanish colonial-style house was opened to the public as a museum, preserving Hemingway’s legacy. Today, the museum encapsulates the author’s life in Key West, featuring the pieces of furniture he used, his study where he penned many of his works, his collected books, and personal mementos.
Key features and attractions
One of the most interesting features of the Hemingway Home and Museum is its polydactyl (six-toed) cats. Hemingway received a six-toed cat from a ship’s captain, and today, about 50 descendents of the cat still live on the property. Other attractions include Hemingway’s preserved writing studio and the beautiful tropical garden filled with native plants where the author often wrote in solitude.
Harry S Truman Little White House
Historical background
The Harry S Truman Little White House claims a unique place in the history of Key West. Originally constructed as a naval station’s command headquarters during the Spanish-American War, it later provided a winter retreat for President Truman and other U.S. presidents.
Significance during Truman’s presidency
The Little White House was a significant site during Truman’s presidency. It served as the winter White House for Truman, where he spent 11 working vacations. The house was also a hub for important policy decisions, including the implementation of the Truman Doctrine designed to combat global communism.
Current use and preservation
Today, Truman’s Little White House stands as a public museum, while retaining its status as Florida’s only presidential museum. Visitors can explore Truman’s living quarters and belongings and learn about the history of his presidency and 20th-century U.S. history.
Southernmost Point Buoy
Background of the monument
Positioned at the corner of South Street and Whitehead Street, the Southernmost Point Buoy is one of the most famous landmarks in Key West. This concrete buoy was erected in 1983, signifying the southernmost point in the continental United States.
Significance and symbolism
This brightly painted buoy is more than just a tourist photo spot; it signifies a geographical landmark. It underscores Key West’s proximity to Cuba (only 90 miles away), a factor that shaped the region’s history, culture, and geopolitics.
Visitor experience
Visitors flock to the Southernmost Point Buoy to photograph themselves next to the iconic chunk of concrete. The nearby area also offers stunning views of the ocean and serves as a perfect place to watch the sunrise.
Key West Lighthouse
Historical context
Established in 1847 after the devastating hurricane of 1846, the Key West Lighthouse has been a figure of guidance and safety. The lighthouse was one of the few southern lighthouses to employ female keepers, a testament to the progressive nature of the region.
Evolution and preservation of the lighthouse
Over the years, the lighthouse has seen several changes, including an extension to its height and the addition of a Fresnel lens. Deactivated in 1969, the tower was later preserved by the Key West Art & Historical Society.
Tourist information
Today, visitors can climb the 86 foot high, 88-step spiral staircase of the lighthouse to enjoy a panoramic view of Key West. The keeper’s quarters, converted into a museum, showcase the histories of the keepers and maritime history of Key West.
Mallory Square
Historical significance
Once the area where the city’s staple industries of wrecking and sponging were concentrated, Mallory Square has been a significant part of Key West for centuries. The square is named after Stephen Mallory, a U.S. senator who played a role in creating the U.S. Navy.
Sunset Celebration tradition
The Mallory Square is best known for its Sunset Celebration tradition. Each evening, the square transforms into a festival-like atmosphere, filled with musicians, jugglers, magicians, and artists who come to captivate audiences against the backdrop of the setting sun.
Other attractions in Mallory Square
While the Sunset Celebration is a must-experience, Mallory Square offers more. The Key West Aquarium, Shipwreck Treasure Museum, and the Key West Museum of Art & History are situated here, allowing visitors to delve into the unique history and culture of Key West.
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum
History of Mel Fisher’s treasure hunts
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum tells a tale of treasure hunting. Mel Fisher, a treasure hunter, discovered the wreck of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha in 1985, unearthing vast treasures and artifacts.
Key exhibits and displays
The museum houses vast collections of artifacts from the Atocha and the Santa Margarita, another ship found by Fisher. Gold, silver, jewelry, cannons, and various ship equipment are on display, evoking the splendor of the maritime past.
Visitor information
Visitors to the museum can not only soak in these magnificent finds but also engage in hands-on exhibits, conservation labs tours, and storytelling sessions about pirates, shipwrecks, and undersea explorations.
Audubon House and Tropical Gardens
Background and history
Built in the 1840s by Captain John Huling Geiger, the Audubon House once served as luxurious lodging for the captain’s large family. The house got its name from John James Audubon, a famed ornithologist, who reportedly stayed there.
Connection to John James Audubon
Although Audubon never lived in the house, it displays many of his works, especially those depicting birds from the Florida Keys. The tropical gardens of the property are thought to have inspired Audubon’s work.
Visitor’s experience
On exploring the house, visitors can see period antiques, Audubon’s lithographs, and a lush, acre-large garden. The garden, home to orchids, bromeliads and a herb garden, is a tranquil haven for visitors.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Historical significance during the Civil War
Constructed in the mid-1800s as a defense against sea invasion, Fort Zachary Taylor played a crucial role during the Civil War. The fort served as a Union outpost, a factor that kept Key West from joining the Confederacy.
Preservation as a state park
Today, the carefully preserved fort stands as a state park. The facade of the fort still bears the architectural grace of the 19th century, and visitors can tour the fort, get a glimpse of the armaments, and learn about its historical relevance.
Visitor experience and activities
Apart from its historical appeal, the state park also offers one of the best beaches in Key West. Frequented for picnicking, snorkeling, and bird watching, the park blends history and leisure, providing a unique experience to its visitors.
Key West Cemetery
Establishment and historical significance
Established in 1847 following a hurricane that unearthed bodies from the previous burial ground, the Key West Cemetery packs in history and cultural diversity. Its headstones narrate tales of Key West’s historical events, immigration history, and maritime disasters.
Famous gravestones
The cemetery features several notable gravestones. These include the memorials of sailors who perished in the USS Maine explosion in Havana Harbor and the graves carrying witty epitaphs like “I told you I was sick.”
Traditions and legends
Visitors of the cemetery also discover folkloric traditions and legends. Stories of Count Von Cosel and his morbid obsession with a young woman, Elena, often pique the interest of ghost story enthusiasts.
Duval Street
Historical Background
Duval Street, running north and south from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, has been the lifeline of Key West. Named after the first territorial governor of Florida, William Pope Duval, it encapsulates the ebullient spirit of Key West.
Iconic landmarks along Duval Street
Duval Street is dotted with iconic landmarks like the Ernest Hemingway Home, the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, and iconic bars such as Sloppy Joe’s. The “Duval Crawl,” a wacky term for bar-hopping, is a popular activity among visitors here.
Tourist activities and recommendations
Duval Street is the epicenter of Key West activities. With vibrant nightlife, a plethora of shopping options, art galleries, top-notch restaurants, and festive parades, the street offers endless avenues for entertainment and cultural engagement for tourists.
