Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Alexander Cruz
⎯⎯⎯
Julia Gardner House

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2018

1. Alexander Cruz/ Julia Gardner House Marker

Inscription. The cigar industry of Key West dates from 1831, when the first cigar factory was established. After the 1868 Cuban War of Independence, Key West’s cigar manufacturing industry boomed, reaching its zenith at the turn of the twentieth century. In 1885, Cuban-born Dolores Fernandez de Cruz purchased this corner lot from Bahamian pioneer William Saunders, who lived here from 1850 to 1880. The Cruz Brothers, Andres, Alexander, and Jose, erected a three-story cigar factory on this site by 1889, providing a business and residence for the family. In 1900, Alexander Cruz bought the factory. He built this 2 1/2 story Neoclassical home on this site circa 1904. The house and lot are significant for their link to the Cuban cigar industry in Key West, which contributed to the island’s economic preeminence at the turn of the century. Julia Gardner, daughter of Richard Henry Albury, one of the island’s most prosperous land owners, purchased the residence in 1918 and owned it for 30 years. Due to its distinctive form, proportion, materials, siting, and architectural details, the Alexander Cruz House contributes to the Key West Historic

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District.

Erected 2017 by The Banyan Time Share Resort and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-983.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 24° 33.38′ N, 81° 48.282′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of Whitehead Street and Eaton Street, on the right when traveling north on Whitehead Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 403 Eaton Street, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Alexander Cruz/ Julia Gardner House and Marker image. Click for full size.

September 18, 2018

2. Alexander Cruz/ Julia Gardner House and Marker

Looking north along Whitehead St. with Eaton St. in the foreground.

walking distance of this marker: William Lowe Delaney / Theodore Holtsberg House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cosgrove House (within shouting distance of this marker); Phillip L. Cosgrove House, 1872 (within shouting distance of this marker); Cookhouses (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Oldest House Cistern (about 400 feet away); The Oldest Schoolhouse (about 400 feet away); Captain's Room (about 400 feet away); The Patterson-Baldwin House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,966 times since then and 103 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Alexander Cruz⎯⎯⎯Julia Gardner House

Alexander Cruz
⎯⎯⎯
Julia Gardner House