Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Key West Woman's Club
Martin Hellings House
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
1. Key West Woman's Club Marker
Inscription.
Key West Woman's Club. Martin Hellings House. The Martin Hellings House, constructed c. 1892 by Captain Martin L. Hellings, is one of only a few historic houses in Key West not built of wood. Hellings was a native of Pennsylvania and a Union soldier in the Civil War. In 1881, Hellings married Eleanor Curry, daughter of a prominent Key West merchant famly. In 1883, he became cable manager of the International Ocean Telegraphy Company in Key West, an important position at the time, as telegraphs were the only rapid long distance communication. Before and during the Spanish American War, he operated an intelligence service for the U.S. Government and provided the White House War Room with the latest news from Cuba. After Martin Hellings' death in 1908, the house was converted into professional offices, and for many years housed the offices of Judge W. Hunt Harris. The Key West Woman's Club (KWWC) established in 1915, purchased the building in 1940. The KWWC founded and maintained Key West's first public library in this building. The KWWC continues its mission of volunteer service, and financial support to local non-profits while preserving this Queen Anne style brick mansion for future generations.
The Martin Hellings House, constructed c. 1892 by Captain Martin L. Hellings, is one of only a few historic houses in Key West not built of wood. Hellings was a native of Pennsylvania and a Union soldier in the Civil War. In 1881, Hellings married Eleanor Curry, daughter of a prominent Key West merchant famly. In 1883, he became cable manager of the International Ocean Telegraphy Company in Key West, an important position at the time, as telegraphs were the only rapid long distance communication. Before and during the Spanish American War, he operated an intelligence service for the U.S. Government and provided the White House War Room with the latest news from Cuba. After Martin Hellings' death in 1908, the house was converted into professional offices, and for many years housed the offices of Judge W. Hunt Harris. The Key West Woman's Club (KWWC) established in 1915, purchased the building in 1940. The KWWC founded and maintained Key West's first public library in this building. The KWWC continues its mission of volunteer service, and financial support to local non-profits while preserving this Queen Anne style brick mansion for future generations.
Erected 2014 by A Florida Heritage Site, Sponsored by Key West Woman's Club and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-814.)
Location. 24° 33.447′ N, 81° 48.235′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 319 Duval Street, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 627 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 25, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.