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

Thompson’s Ice House

Key West Art & Historical Society

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Thompson’s Ice House Marker

Inscription.
In the 1890s, this was the site of expansive sponge docks. For over 50 years salesmen strolled these docks purchasing a variety of sponges for world wide markets. The ice and fish house constructed in 1948 when Florida pink shrimp were discovered and the shrimp industry in Key West exploded. The Fish house serviced the fleet of nearly 500 shrimp trawlers during the heyday of the "pink gold rush". The remnants of a two story ice factory stand behind the fish house.

—Circa 1948—
Key West Historic Marker
Free Audio Walking Tour
Call: 305•507•0300
Sponsor: Key West Historic Seaport

Erected by Key West Historic Seaport. (Marker Number 81.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 24° 33.663′ N, 81° 48.169′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Greene Street and Elizabeth Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 631 Greene St, 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. Norberg Thompson (within shouting distance of this marker); Sponging (within shouting

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distance of this marker); A&B Lobster House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Schooner Western Union (about 400 feet away); The William Curry Warehouse (about 500 feet away); Coca-Cola Bottling Court (about 600 feet away); Richard Kemp House (about 700 feet away); The Red Doors (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. Thompson Fish House, Turtle Cannery and Kraals. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 12, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Thompson-O’Neal Fish House. Key West Historic Markers website entry (Submitted on May 12, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

3. Key West Art & Historical Society. Website homepage (Submitted on May 12, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Thompson Fish House, Turtle Cannery and Kraals image. Click for full size.

via NPS, unknown

2. Thompson Fish House, Turtle Cannery and Kraals

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

3. Thompson’s Ice House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 12, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on March 12, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on May 12, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Overall view of site, including ice house remnants. • Can you help?