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

Peter Roberts

1875-1960

— Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden —

Peter Roberts Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Peter Roberts Marker

Inscription. Commercial fishing has always been an important part of the Key West economy. For more than sixty years Peter Roberts ran a retail fish market at Curry and Son's dock. Roberts in his always present straw hat was a symbol of the Key West commercial fishing industry and was considered by many to be the best fishermen in Key West. In 1924, Milton Curry had a small aquarium built on the dock at the fish market. Roberts was in charge of this first Key West Aquarium. He also had a collection of more than forty cats he kept at the docks. In sixty years, running the fish market, Roberts only missed fourteen days of work. He was truly representative of a group of hardy and independent men of the sea who have and still provide fish for the tables of the world. In the early days, fishing was done from small sailing vessels called "smackees” with hand lines. In the center of the smackee was a large well open to the sea to keep the catch alive. The live fish were sold here and in Havana, Cuba. Eventually, power boats, refrigeration and the railroad allowed fish to be shipped to other cities but the local catch was still brought in

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alive. The fish were kept in cages called "fish cars" where a customer could select dinner that would be removed from the water and cleaned for cooking. During the Great Depression, when the economy failed, many Key Westers survived by eating “Grunts and Grits." Grunts are a small tasty panfish. Roberts, when he was 77 years old and still working the fish market, was asked what was the secret of his long healthy life. He replied, "Grits for breakfast keeps me strong, you know. Grits and plenty of fresh air.”
Donated by
The Smith Family/A&B Complex,
700 Front Street, Key West, FL

Erected by The Smith Family/A&B Complex, 700 Front Street, Key West, FL.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 24° 33.587′ N, 81° 48.41′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from the intersection of Wall Street and Tifts Street. 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 Street,

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

2. Peter Roberts Marker

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: Maria Valdez Gutsens (here, next to this marker); Livingston Wellesley Bethel (here, next to this marker); Julius F. Stone (here, next to this marker); Captain Edward "Bra" Saunders (here, next to this marker); John Watson Simonton (here, next to this marker); Elisabetha Merklin Knight Beiglett Smith (here, next to this marker); Carlos Manuel De Cespedes y Cespedes (here, next to this marker); John Lowe, Jr. (here, next to 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.

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(Submitted on May 16, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.