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Key West Trivia

Hold your pointer over a question to see the answer

Which Spanish Conquistador discovered Florida?Ponce de Leon

How many cigar factories did Key West have in the 1890's?200

What are the 7 mansions built by William Curry's children?Curry Mansion, The Woman’s Club, Porter Mansion, Fogarty Mansion, Hard Rock Cafe, Southernmost Mansion, The Curry House

What islands did the Spanish Empire lose in the Spanish American War?Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Guam, the Philippine Islands and Hawaii

The Clinton Square Civil War Memorial commemorates which side, Union or Confederate soldiers?Both. The Union erected the monument and the Confederates built the surrounding fence.

Where does Dade County pine come from?The coasts of Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Not Dade County.

What year was Florida discovered?1513

How many hand rolled cigars were produced in Key West in 1890?100,000,000

What were the large gates leading into Truman Annex used for?The entry for Presidents (Kennedy, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Reagan, Clinton) and dignitaries

When was the first international phone call made?On Christmas Day in 1900 from Key West to Cuba

How did the Great White Fleet, our Naval ships that traversed the world in 1900, earn their name?They were painted white because that

How many Confederate Ships were captured by the Union Gulf Blockade Squadron during the Civil War?1500

Along with fire engines, what was the most effective way to stop a fire in the 1800's?Dynamite! Blow up a building to create a fire break!

Who started the first horse drawn trolly in the city?E. H. Gato, the owner of the Gato Cigar Factory

Where did Tennessee Williams finish writing "A Street Car Named Desire"?The La Concha Hotel on Duval St

How did Henry Flagler's train cars get from Key West to Cuba?By ferry boat

In 1890, your average cigar roller produced how many cigars a day?300

Cuban Revolutionary Jose Marti made how many trips to Key West to raise funds and support?3

How long did the Spanish American War last?10 weeks

Where was Ernest Hemingway returning from when he first arrived in Key West?7 years in Paris

What was grown in the Florida Keys during the 1900's?Pineapples

Welcome to Key West, one of the largest historic districts with the densest accumulation of historic frame vernacular buildings in the nation. Our history encompasses unique island architecture, Civil War forts, famous authors homes, Cuba's revolution from Spain, The Spanish American War, the sinking of the Maine, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Harbor Walk, Flagler's railroad, the turtle industry, the sponging industry, the cigar industry, rum runners, pirates, sunken Spanish treasure ships, the fishing industry, the sea salt industry, the wrecking/salvage industry, military history, the cemetery, parks, maritime sites, Truman Annex, the Little White House, historic city/state/federal buildings, slave ships, boom and bust economies and the fascinating history of the founding father's of the island.

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1

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Captain George Carey House

The two story, double portico building is the second oldest house in KeyWest. Originally built as a two room house in 1834 by British Captain Carey, who made his money in the whole-sale liquor business. Enlarged in 1844 as a gift to his bride. Robert Frost spent 16 fruitful winters in the writers' cottage located in the gardens behind the house.

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2

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The Key West Woman's Club

Built by Captain Hellings who was the manager of the International Ocean Telegraph Co. His wife was the daughter of William Curry, Florida’s first millionaire. The Key West Woman’s Club purchased the home in 1940 and operated one half of the house as the only public library in Monroe County.

The carriage house behind the building is home to the Red Barn Theatre.

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3

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The Oldest House

Originally a four room house built on Whitehead Street in the late 1820’s by Richard Cussans a ship’s carpenter. The structure was moved to its current location in 1829 and expanded for Captain Francis Watlington to accommodate his wife and nine daughters. The Captain’s descendants lived in the house until the 1970’s. This is considered the oldest house in South Florida.

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4

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Dr. Joseph Yates Porter House

Built as a two story house and later expanded with a rare third story  mansard roof with gabled dormers. Dr. Porter was born here in 1847 and died in the room of his birth 80 years later. Dr. Porter was Florida’s first  Public Health Officer.  His medical research and involvement in yellow fever epidemics is credited with the eradication of yellow fever in Florida.

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5

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James Haskins House

The fire of 1886 missed this single family house by 20 feet.
A portion of the first floor was rebuilt at street level in 1889 for a “Gents Goods” store. The storefront saw a succession of commercial uses through the years and the house became a boarding house in the early 1900’s.
Restored in 1987 and enlarged in 1993 with the addition of two neighboring historic buildings.

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6

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Casa Antigua

The Trev-Mor Hotel, one of Key West’s first hotels. Built with bricks from Fort Taylor dating back to 1845.  It featured a car dealership on the first floor and hotel rooms on the upper two floors.

Ernest Hemingway and his wife stayed here in 1928 and penned "A Farewell to Arms" from his second story room.

The hotel was converted to a private residence and renamed Casa Antigua in 1978.

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7

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The Oldest Drug Store

This building holds the dual distinction of being one of the oldest commercial structures in Key West and the oldest remaining drug store building. Dr. John Maloney opened the Key West Drug Company in 1903. 
In 1908 he purchased the adjacent building at 532 Fleming and opened the first public hospital.  In 1911 he acquired 504 Simonton connecting the buildings with a raised walkway .

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8

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The Southernmost House

Built in 1897 by Judge Vinning Harris and his wife Florida Curry. The Queen Anne Victorian style mansion was designed as a one bedroom home. Thomas Edison oversaw the homes electrical design and installation.  During Prohibition the mansion served as a “speakeasy” club and in the 1940’s a night club called â€œCafé Cayo Hueso”.  Five United States Presidents have been hosted at the mansion.
 

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9

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Fire Station No. 3

Believed to be the oldest active fire station in the State of Florida until 1998. Started with 3 paid employees and 40 volunteers it featured horse drawn steam engines and hose carriages. The station switched to motorized fire engines in 1914. The horse stalls were removed and a concrete hose trough was added behind the building in the 1940’s.

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10

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Key West Armory

 The Armory was in such an advanced state of deterioration by 1969 that the State granted the City permission for it’s demolition. Joseph Allen and State Representative William Roberts fought to save the building and were instrumental in forming the Historic Preservation Board. Preservationists James Shields, Edward & Joan Knight, Larry Nettler, Mary Lee Graham and Norman Artman are also credited with preserving the structure.

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