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

Cuban Missile Crisis

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay

1. Cuban Missile Crisis Marker

Inscription.

During October, 1962, United States intelligence sources confirmed Soviet construction of nuclear missile sites in Cuba. This provocation, coupled with the strains of the Cold War, was a direct nuclear threat to the United States. Fearing invasion of the mainland, Key West was transformed into an armed camp. President Kennedy ordered a naval quarantine of Cuba blockading all Soviet ships. After two weeks of tense negotiations, the Soviet Union pulled all nuclear weapons from Cuba and nuclear war was avoided.
— Circa 1962 —

Erected by Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. (Marker Number 29.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Cold. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1962.

Location. 24° 33.596′ N, 81° 48.445′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker can be reached from Wall Street north of Tifts Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is on the brick decorative wall with arches in Mallory Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Wall Street, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Mosquito Fleet (here, next to this marker); Civil War Union Blockade (a few steps from this marker); Cayo Hueso (a few

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steps from this marker); Highlights in the History of the United States, Cuba, Key West and Havana (within shouting distance of this marker); Antipiracy Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Seminole War (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish American War (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. Cuban Missile Crisis. Details about the 13-day crisis that had the world teetering on the edge of nuclear war. (History.com) (Submitted on February 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Cuban Missile Crisis. The fear of war was palpable with everyone in Key West suspecting that the Naval Air Field at Boca Chica, an island located directly next to Key West, would be a primary target in an armed skirmish with the Soviets and Cuba. (Key West Historic Marker Tour) (Submitted on February 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. A Look Back: The Cuban Missile Crisis | NBC 6 (YouTube). The Cuban Missile Crisis was a lengthy political and military standoff that took place in the 60s over

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

2. Cuban Missile Crisis Marker

the installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles in Cuba. Here's a look at how WTVJ covered the story as it happened. (WTVJ-TV, Miami) (Submitted on February 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

U.S. missiles on Smathers Beach, Key West image. Click for full size.

Don Pinder via Key West Public Library (CC BY 2.0), October 1962

3. U.S. missiles on Smathers Beach, Key West

The vibe on Key West changed from fun to fearful during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 371 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on May 2, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 2, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 2. submitted on May 22, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on February 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.