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

The Cable Hut

Jimmy Emerson, DVM via Flicker (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), February 21, 2013

1. The Cable Hut Marker

Inscription. This concrete structure was built on the mainland and transported by Flagler's railroad to the current location in 1917. Its purpose was to protect the connection between the land line and the 125 mile long underwater telegraph cable lines linking Key West and Havana, Cuba. The first international phone call was made through similar cables in Key West on Christmas Day, 1900. John W. Atkins called Cuba and after a long silence, Cuba answered quite simply "I don't understand you."
— Circa 1917 —

Erected by The Fuente family (sponsor). (Marker Number 27.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 24° 32.793′ N, 81° 47.845′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of South Street and Whitehead Street. Marker is on a small building at the Southernmost Point of the continental U.S. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Southernmost Point (a few steps from this marker); The History of the Southernmost Point (a few steps from this marker); J. Vining and Florida Curry Harris House (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Southernmost House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eduardo H. Gato House (about 400 feet away); Casa Cayo Hueso (about 400 feet away); Semper Fidelis (about 500 feet away); Emma Carrero Cates Pier at Southern Beach (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Regarding The Cable Hut. Atkins was manager of International Ocean Telegraph Co., a Western Union subsidiary that was laying the first three cables between Key West and Havana. He reportedly said during the 9:55 a.m. call: “For a long time there was no sound, except the roar heard at night sometimes, caused by electric light current.” While that call was the first one to be made overseas, it was not the first international call: That happened July 1, 1881 between St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, and Calais, Maine.

Also see . . . The Key West to Havana Submarine Telephone Cables. The Key West cable hut was part a wider project to connect Key West to the Caribbean. (J. Gregory Griffin, reprint of article first published in Florida
ucumari photography via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), July 19, 2018

2. The Cable Hut Marker
Keys Sea Heritage Journal, Fall 2000) (Submitted on February 23, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Southernmost Point postcard image. Click for full size.

Key West Public Library, from the collection of Christopher C. Belland (CC BY 2.0)

3. Southernmost Point postcard

The cable hut is shown in this vintage postcard.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 530 times since then and 144 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 21, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2, 3. submitted on February 23, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.