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

Asa F. Tift

1812 - 1889

— Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden —

Asa F. Tift Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Asa F. Tift Marker

Inscription. Asa Tift, was the son of Captain Amos Tift, one of the early settlers of Key West. He arrived here with his sons in 1825. Amos built a store in Key West that was taken over by Asa and his brothers on the death of their father. They expanded their holdings to include most of the Mallory Square area. They were successful merchants, ship owners, wreckers, ship and mail agents, and owners of a large warehouse to support the wrecking industry. The Tifts also established an ice house on the Mallory Square waterfront. The wrecking industry on which Asa Tift based his fortune was the major source of income in the early days of Key West. Wreckers were required to save the crew, passengers, cargo and if possible, the ships that ran afoul off the Florida reefs. The industry was closely regulated by the federal court in Key West. The ships, cargo and crews were brought to Key West. The cargos were stored in the warehouses and some were sold to pay for the repairs to the ship and the salvage fees awarded by the court. Asa's brother Nelson, with other members of the family, later settled in Georgia, The City of Tifton and Tift County,

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Georgia are named for them. Tift was a delegate from Monroe County to the Florida secession convention. During the Civil War, Tift joined his brother in Georgia to support the Southern cause. The brothers established a beef and pork packing plant, a hardtack factory, a grist mill and a barrel factory. They also began to construct the Confederate ship “Mississippi” in New Orleans. After the war Tift returned to Key West and remained until his death. He built, for his home, the house on Whitehead Street that was later owned by Ernest Hemingway and is today the Hemingway Home and Museum

Erected by Mr. & Mrs. T.W. Tift, Jr.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 24° 33.577′ N, 81° 48.42′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from the intersection of Wall Street and Tift’s Aly, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located within the Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

Asa F. Tift image. Click for more information.

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2. Asa F. Tift

WikiTree entry
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401 Wall St, 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: Marco Golan (here, next to this marker); Judge William Marvin (here, next to this marker); The Origins of Island Roots & Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden (here, next to this marker); Commodore David W. Porter (here, next to this marker); A. Maitland Adams (here, next to this marker); Captain John Huling Geiger (here, next to this marker); William A. Whitehead (a few steps from this marker); Wreckers (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . . The Key West Sculpture Garden – Where History Meets Art.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

3. Asa F. Tift Marker

(Submitted on May 8, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,615 times since then and 290 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 8, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on August 15, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on May 8, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.