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

William Curry

1821-1896

— Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden —

William Curry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. William Curry Marker

Inscription. Willam Curry came to Key West in 1837 from New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas. At the age of 13 he began as a clerk in a mercantile firm. During the Seminole War he spent two years with McLaughlin's fleet. In 1845, with G.L. Browne as a partner, he organized the firm of Browne & Curry. The firm had extensive interest in the salvage of wrecks on the Florida reef. They supplied the wrecking fleet of Key West and owned a number of the vessels. Browne and Curry was also the major ship builder in Key West. In 1856, they funded the clipper ship Stephen R. Mallory, the only clipper ship ever built here. For the next 30 years Mr. Curry was a prominant businessman in Key West. Besides the vessels, the company owned piers, warehouses, ships, railways, an ice plant, electric plant, a fish market, 6 ship's chandlery a hardware store, a general merchandise store and bonded warehouse to store the Cuban tobacco needed for the cigar industry. Later in life, William Curry increased his forume by investing in stocks. Mr. Curry purchased from Tiffany & Company of New York a complete dinner service for 24 made of 18 karat gold.

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The service was valued at $15.000 by the probate appraisers at the death of Euphemia Curry in 1901. In 1892, Mr. Curry retired and his firm continued under the leadership of his sons. He was Florida's first home grown millionaire. Donated by
The old Town Trolley Toors of Key West Chris Belland, Mike Cates, Moe Mosher, Ed Swift

Erected by The Old Town Trolley Tours of Key West, Chris Belland, Mike Cates, Moe Mosher, Ed Swift.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 24° 33.582′ N, 81° 48.414′ 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,

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

2. William Curry Marker

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: Harry S. Truman (here, next to this marker); Henry Morrison Flagler (here, next to this marker); Senator John M. Spottswood (here, next to this marker); Sister Louis Gabriel (here, next to this marker); Bernie C. Papy (here, next to this marker); Joe Pearlman (here, next to this marker); Eduardo H. Gato (here, next to this marker); John Bartlum (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. The Founding of Key West. (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 576 times since then and 75 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.