Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Phillip L. Cosgrove House, 1872
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2018
1. Phillip L. Cosgrove House, 1872 Marker
Inscription.
Phillip L. Cosgrove House, 1872. . Captain Phillip L. Cosgrove, Sr., commanded the U.S. lighthouse tender Mangrove, the first rescue ship to aid victims of the 1898 explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor. This house, acquired by Cosgrove in 1871, incorporates remnants of federal judge James Locke's one-story residence. In order to accommodate his growing family, Cosgrove paid $1,600 to enlarge the house to 2 1/2-stories. Remodeled in the Greek Revival style, it features a gabled roof with jig-cut balusters and decorative scrolls at the tops of the square columns. Adaptations to the Key West climate were also incorporated, including a cistern under the floor with fish to help keep water fresh and keep out mosquitos. Cosgrove served in the Lighthouse Service until 1906, when his son, Phillip, Jr., took over his command. Three generations of the Cosgrove family occupied the house until 1947, when the house was acquired by William Gamble (1916-1976), a local jeweler and Key West city commissioner. Following Gamble's death, the house was converted in 1978 into a resort. The Cosgrove House reflects Key West's unique Conch architectural style, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Key West Historic District.
Captain Phillip L. Cosgrove, Sr., commanded the U.S. lighthouse tender Mangrove, the first rescue ship to aid victims of the 1898 explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor. This house, acquired by Cosgrove in 1871, incorporates remnants of federal judge James Locke's one-story residence. In order to accommodate his growing family, Cosgrove paid $1,600 to enlarge the house to 2 1/2-stories. Remodeled in the Greek Revival style, it features a gabled roof with jig-cut balusters and decorative scrolls at the tops of the square columns. Adaptations to the Key West climate were also incorporated, including a cistern under the floor with fish to help keep water fresh and keep out mosquitos. Cosgrove served in the Lighthouse Service until 1906, when his son, Phillip, Jr., took over his command. Three generations of the Cosgrove family occupied the house until 1947, when the house was acquired by William Gamble (1916-1976), a local jeweler and Key West city commissioner. Following Gamble's death, the house was converted in 1978 into a resort. The Cosgrove House reflects Key West's unique Conch architectural style, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Key West Historic District.
Erected 2017 by The Banyan Resort and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number
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F-989.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 24° 33.409′ N, 81° 48.298′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker is on Whitehead Street just north of Eaton Street, on the right when traveling north. Now part of the Banyan Resort. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 321 Whitehead Street, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Phillip L. Cosgrove House, 1872 Marker and House
Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 687 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 24, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
