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

Captain John Huling Geiger

1807-1885

— Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden —

Captain John Huling Geiger Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Captain John Huling Geiger Marker

Inscription. Captain John Geiger arrived in Key West as a pilot for Commodore Porter's West Indies Squadron. Porter established the first naval base here in 1823. Captain Geiger remained in Key West after the navy moved to Pensacola. He was the first licensed harbor pilot in the Territory of Florida and served as naval and harbor pilot for Key West until his age forced him into retirement. Captain Geiger was also a master wrecker who, during his prime, probably took part in more salvage cases than any other captain. The wrecking industry, closely regulated by the federal courts, saved the passengers, cargos and ships that strayed onto the Florida reef. The work was dangerous and demanding, but brought large financial rewards to successful captains and crews. Many of the stately homes of Key West were built by the men engaged in this business. Captain Geiger's elegant home on the corner of Whitehead and Greene Street is now a museum honoring the 1832 visit of naturalist John J. Audubon to Key West. The Geiger tree Cordia sebestena L was named for him and was probably brought to Key West by him. He spent his last years up in his cupola

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watching passing vessels and taking care of his schooner, Nonpareil, with which he claimed to have beaten up Nassau Harbor, under jib alone "to show the Conchs what an American vessel could do.”
Donated by
Captain Edwin E. Crusoe, IV, Key West Pilot's Inc.
and
The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens

Erected by Captain Edwin E. Crusoe, IV, Key West Pilot's Inc. and The Audubon House & Tropical Gardens.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.

Location. 24° 33.581′ N, 81° 48.419′ 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

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

2. Captain John Huling Geiger Marker

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: A. Maitland Adams (here, next to this marker); William A. Whitehead (here, next to this marker); Jefferson B. Browne (here, next to this marker); Henry Morrison Flagler (here, next to this marker); Commodore David W. Porter (here, next to this marker); Judge William Marvin (here, next to this marker); Asa F. Tift (here, next to this marker); William Curry (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. Keys History: John Geiger Goes From Wrecker To Wealthy Man. (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 714 times since then and 63 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.