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

Senator John M. Spottswood

— Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Senator John M. Spottswood Marker

Inscription. John Maloney Spottswood was born in Key West in 1920, educated in Monroe County and graduated from Riverside Military Academy. During World War II, he served in the US army. He established the first Key West radio station in September 1945. In March 1947, John became a personal friend of President Harry Truman. That friendship continued until Truman's death in 1972 and brought the Truman's back as John and wife Mary's guests. John established cable television in Monroe County in 1957. His leadership contributed substantially to the development of modern cable TV nationally. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, President Kennedy awarded John "For Service of Special Merit" for programming "The Voice of America to Cuba". Elected County Sheriff in 1952 - 1963, he modernized the Sheriffs Department. As President of the Florida Association, he proposed the first statewide standards and established the Sheriffs Boys Ranch. From 1963 to 1967, he served as State Senator. Keenly aware of the needs of his community, he introduced a bill creating the Florida Keys Community College. When he died he was the largest land owner in the city

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including the La Concha and the Casa Marina Hotels. John died at the age of 55 in 1975.
Dedicated by
Mary, Jack, Bill, Fawnie and Robert Spottswood

Erected by Mary, Jack, Bill, Fawnie and Robert Spottswood.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1945.

Location. 24° 33.582′ N, 81° 48.412′ 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: 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

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

2. Senator John M. Spottswood Marker

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: Sister Louis Gabriel (here, next to this marker); Sandy Cornish (here, next to this marker); Harry S. Truman (here, next to this marker); William Curry (here, next to this marker); Dr. J.Y. Porter (here, next to this marker); Stephen R. Mallory (here, next to this marker); Joe Pearlman (here, next to this marker); Ellen Russell Mallory (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. State Honors Former Key West Sheriff & Senator John M. Spottswood. (Submitted on May 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. The Key West Sculpture Garden – Where History Meets Art. (Submitted on May 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 312 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.