Bishop Albert Kee Statue

Sometimes, an individual is chosen for recognition because they exemplify a tradition. Bishop Albert Kee, along with three generations of his family (and numerous individuals from Bahama Village) stood on this corner selling fresh conch, fish and conch shells for more than half a century. Community donations and funds from the City of Key West helped produce the life-like bronze statue commemoration in 2015. The commissioned artist was Tom Joris from Bahama Village and the American Bronze Foundry.

Turtle Kraals & Cannery

As long as humans have inhabited the Florida Keys, turtles have been a valuable and much sought after food source. For decades this building and its kraals operated as a turtle cannery in the center of the turtle industry. Kraals take their name from the Dutch African word for "corral". They function as holding pens for captured turtles. Two hundred years of overfishing led to near extinction of the turtle population. The Endangered Species Act passed in 1971 led to the demise of the cannery.

Trumbo Naval Air Station

The Navy broke ground on land originally created for Flagler’s railroad on July 13, 1917. A crucial strategic and educational facility through both World Wars, Trumbo Point has proven its worth time and again. Geographically ideal for seaplanes, Trumbo was used to train pilots and as a base for seaplanes used for submarine patrol throughout the Caribbean and Pacific. The seaplane squadrons deployed from here during the second World War escorted supply convoys and ultimately helped win the war. 

1909 & 1910 Hurricane

Key West experienced two major hurricanes in 1909 and 1910. Both hit in October and were rated between a category 3 & 4 hurricane. In 1909, more than 400 buildings were destroyed. Many of the buildings were blown off their foundations, collapsed from hurricane force winds or were washed away. Nearly every ship and dock in the city was badly damaged or destroyed. Estimates of overall damage in Key West were set at one million dollars in 1909 currency.

Weather Bureau

This building represents the vital role accurate weather forecasts played in the growth and vitality of Key West. Before the Weather Bureau, Key West residents relied on their own measurements and telegraph reports to predict oncoming storms. The weather station brought access to more sophisticated weather measurement techniques to warn of dangerous weather. It was often the front line in forecasting the power and path of tropical hurricanes. The building was built by the U.S. Army and served from 1912 - 1957.