The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-08-16

Walter Mcfarland of the Army
Engineers.
Virtually all of the materials, in
Guiding brick and steel were
brought from the north. According
to historians, the brick for the two
structures as well as for Fort JEFF.
ferson on Dry Tortugas was ship
ped in from Pensacola. It was all
hand made.
Granite from New Hampshire
was used in the window sills and
door.
!. The fact that Florida seeded
from the Union during the war be-
tween the states has caused some
confusion leading many to believe
that the fortresses were construct.
ed by confederates. However, this
is not true since the Union flag
was never lowered in Key West.
At one time a confederate banner
was raised but it was quickly
hauled down by loyal troops.
Key Vests Martello Towers
follow the traditional architecture
Of their forerunners in other parts
Of the world.
Circular in form, they consist of
massive walls eight feet thick to
seward and five feet thick other
wise. The interior Of the buttresses
are filled with brick, broken stone
and debris designed to render in
Elective shell fire from the enemy
The roofs were also bombproofed
to withstand the effects Of bonn
bardment.
Even today one may see the mas
i've vaulted ceilings two stories
high showing some of the finest
1rickwork on view anywhere.
One enters the fort through a
circular door, five feet wide and
eleven feet high. A circular area
way leads around the central tower
or citadel which is Sc feet wide
| at its base and IS feet high.
Upon entering the citadel the
massive cisterns for the storage OF
fresh water and the vaults for
storing provisions in time of siege
come into view. A circular stair
way leads up into the tower and
finally goes out onto the ramparts
where the gigantic siege guns were
to have been installed.
However, before the installation
Of the artillery, in fact before the
structures were fully completed
they were found to be failure
strategically unable to stand up
even under the pounding of the
weapons of that day.
In time the forts were partially
iismantled without ever having
been put to their intended use.
| During World War II they were
taken over by the Navy who used
them as searchlight towers when
the Meacham airfield was in use
, as blimp base.
Then they we're acquired by
Monroe County who turned them
over to the care of the Historical
society, who began a program oil
rehabilitation which is. only now
reaching its peak.
At the present time, the East
tower houses what is undoubtedly
the most valuable collection of
Key West historical objects extant.
Under the direction Of Mrs.
Jeanne Taylor, the museum has
grown to where it viii soon be one
Of the foremost attractions for tour.
lists in the city.
! Included in the fascinating ex-
hibits in the museum are momen-
toes of Key Vests romantic past
| such as an account book used by
William Curry and Sons, who were
the islands foremost merchants in
1885; historic photographs and
paintings Of John Whitehead and
John Simonton as well rs data con-
corning the sale of the entire Is
land of Key West to Simonton for
$1,000 by Juan Pablo Salos and sub
sequent sale Of one-quarter Of the
territory TO his friend Whitehead
for the sum Of $3.50.
Displays showing the evolution
Of Key West s sponging, fishing
and cigar industry are included as
well as fora and fauna of the Key
Area.
Civil and Spanish American War
momentos including ancient grape
shot and q life preserver from
the USS Maine may be viewed.
Attendance at the Tower museum
/. 10 picking up greatly according 10
the director with nearly ~ many
visitors viewing the exhibits this
summer as during the entire past
| winter.
| Meanwhile. the Society 10 ecutinu.
lng It's drive % make the already
Inc institution something that vii
5e one Of the big factors in pre-
serving the local heritage. A mem
befship campaign calculated 10
swell the rolls Of the organization
which already includes 90 local
! citizens win get underway 5000.