Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-17
TYPICAL RESIDENCE
In KEXWEST

lean flag was hoisted over the island.
1928, the place ceased to be Eeadquar-
tiers for pirates.
Owing to the frequent disasters to
vessels among the islands. that profit
able and peculiar business known as
industry Of the inhabitants, lie. saw
ing goods and rendering assistance to
vessels that failed to clear the danger
Gus Florida reef.
Tradition tells us that the early set
tiers were wont to eXclaim as some
storm driven vessel came upon the
rocks. God is good to us. He has sent
us a wreck
Ever since Florida came into the pos
session Of the United States, Key West
has been looked upon as a point of
some strategic Importance. and there
have been desultory attempts to fortify
and occupy it military and naval
post. Troops were first stationed here
in 1924 The war with Mexico brought
it more into prominence as a military
station. In 1S45 work on Fort Taylor
was begun. but the brick and stone bat
teries were never completed. 1t is a
massive Fashioned structure. built part
ly of coral quarried on the island, with
walls Of brick brought from the north.
Its outworks are half in ruins. All
around the fort are masses of cacti five
to six feet high The formidable fort.
however. was fully garrisoned in it's
war. from 1851 to 1865. as vitality
important military and naval station,
and held throughout by the Federal
fleet. It served as the chief base in
keeping up the blockade Of the south
ern states. with its 200 heavy guns
pointing seward.
When Florida seeded from the Union
local secessonists attempted to seize the
place on behalf Of the Confederacy. Gen.
William HI. French. then major Of the
1St Artillery. In command ar Fort
Taylor: the political opinion of the cti-
zens was divided. and Maj. French. who
had a few regulars under him. organized
the workmeH employed at the fort ac-
zens and deAed the Confederates until
reinforcementA arrived. Throughout the
civil war extenHive Notifications were be-
gun in additionNto those already under
way at Fort TaNor. but none Of them
was ever completed. Occasionally steam
ers ran from this port to the Dry Tortu-
gas. where a thousand prisoners were
confined during the civil war.
There is United States dock with els
terms to catch rain water, a condensing
and distilling apparatus. a machine shop,
a foundry and a marine railway for haul
ing out ships needing repairs, all Of which
were destroyed or damaged by the hur-
ricane.
Until 1860 the population of Key West
was insignificant, but the attempted revo-
luton In Cuba caused migration that soon
made it busy manufacturing place. At
the beginning Of the Spanish-American
war 1t had 25.OnO inhabitants, but since
then the number has been greatly aug
mented.
This charming island city. which seems
to have sprung into existence by the ma
gicians wand. surrounded by sea with
ever changing opalescent tints. rejecting
a sky Of clearest blue. has an excellent
we'll sheltered harbor. accessible through
several channels by vessels drawing TWEEN
ty-two feet Of water Owing to the city's
comma nding position between two seas
1t became the natural port Of call for
most Of the line Of steamers plying to and
fro in the track of the gulf stream and
the Florida passage. Her capacious
wharves were lined with vessels flying
the flags Of all nations. The produce Of
every quarter of the globe found an ex-
change here. Steamers from the MAIN
land arrived and departed daily and large
freiehters from distant shores sought this
sheltering port.
The wonderful euuability Of its ideal
climate must be ascribed to that remark