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

Naval Depot and Storehouse-Building One-U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2018

1. Naval Depot and Storehouse-Building One-U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Marker

Inscription. On September 13, 1833, the United States government purchased this harbor-front lot. The Naval Depot was authorized by an Act of Congress on July 21, 1852. Capt. J.M. Scarritt and Lt. J.J. Philbrick supervised the construction of this building. By 1856 the brick walls were laid in common bond pattern, and the roof was completed in 1861. During the Civil War, the Union’s West Indies Blockade Squadron was headquartered here. Distinguished by a buttressed brick pier arcade of 17 bays, the Naval Depot retains its original lookout cupola, masonry exterior, gable roof, and interior loft space. Known as Building Number One, it served as the Naval Administration Building until 1932. On December 15, 1932, the offices of the 7th Lighthouse District opened in this building. By 1939 the Lighthouse Service, as part of the U.S. Coast Guard, continued to use the Naval Depot as its Key West Station headquarters. In recognition of its significance in America’s military history through the Civil War, Spanish-American War and two world wars, the Naval Depot and Storehouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and remains Key West’s oldest brick structure.

Erected 2016 by Building One Key West, LLC and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-884.)

Topics and series. This

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historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1852.

Location. 24° 33.519′ N, 81° 48.405′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and Whitehead Street, on the left when traveling north on Front Street. Marker is located at Clinton Square Market. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 291 Front 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 walking distance of this marker: Coast Guard Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); Mallory Homesite (a few steps from this marker); Clinton Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Navy Club of Key West Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Key West Arts Center (within shouting distance of this marker); One-ton slab of marble (within shouting distance of this marker); Key West Custom House (within shouting

Naval Depot and Storehouse-Building One-U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Marker and building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2018

2. Naval Depot and Storehouse-Building One-U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Marker and building

distance of this marker); Anchors (1622) (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . . U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Key West Station. National Register of Historic Places. (Submitted on July 17, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California.)

Photographed by Pete Payette, May 6, 2024

3. Naval Depot and Storehouse-Building One-U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Marker

Building No. 1 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patrick Duggan, July 9, 2025

4. Building No. 1 Marker

National Register of Historic Places Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patrick Duggan, July 9, 2025

5. National Register of Historic Places Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,010 times since then and 54 times this year. Last updated on January 1, 2019, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on May 13, 2024, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.