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

Eduardo H. Gato

1847 - 1926

— Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden —

Eduardo H. Gato Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Eduardo H. Gato Marker

Inscription. Eduardo Gato was only eight years old when he left his father's home and walked to Havana to begin to learn the cigar business. During the Cuban Civil War, he moved to New York and worked in cigar factories while assisting the revolutionary movement in Cuba. In 1871, Gato opened a factory in New York which soon closed. He then opened another larger factory that was successful. In 1874, he moved to Key West where he operated in a building rented from William Curry. He soon bought land near Virginia and Simonton Streets where he built the largest factory in Key West. His factory building still stands on this site today. He also constructed a village for his workers that was named Gatoville. In 1885, he had 500 employees. Gato was involved in Key West politics as well as business. He built the first street railway system in Key West. He was a director of the Bank of Key West. When the Board of Trade was organized in 1865, he was named first vice president and when the cigar industry was lost in Key West, his was one of the last large factories to close. Eduardo Gato stuck with Key West and gave generously to the community

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of both his money and time. The Gato family home stood on Truman Avenue where Bayview Park is today. When he returned to live in Cuba, he donated his home to the people of Key West to use as a hospital for the poor. The house was moved to Virginia Street and was named Mercedes Hospital after his wife. After he returned to Cuba, his sons Eduardo, Jr, and Thomas remained in Key West. Donated by
Fred & Marilyn Salinero

Erected by Fred & Marilyn Salinero.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 24° 33.585′ 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. 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, 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

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

2. Eduardo H. Gato Marker

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: John Bartlum (here, next to this marker); Bernie C. Papy (here, next to this marker); William R. Kerr (here, next to this marker); Joe Pearlman (here, next to this marker); Dr. J.Y. Porter (here, next to this marker); Ernest Hemingway (here, next to this marker); Henry Morrison Flagler (here, next to this marker); Stephen R. Mallory (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. E. H. Gato Cigar Factory. (Submitted on May 17, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. The Key West Sculpture Garden – Where History Meets Art. (Submitted on May 17, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,420 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 17, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.