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

Joe Pearlman

1892 - 1980

— Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden —

Joe Pearlman Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Joe Pearlman Marker

Inscription. Joe Pearlman was born in Romania. He came to Key West in 1904 and became a successful businessman in two unrelated fields, retail sales and construction. In 1916, he opened Pearlman's Quality Store on Duval Street which he operated for 37 years. Joe was also a leader in construction and development. In 1929, he founded Joe Pearlman's, Inc. After the Great Depression, he built naval and residential structures with his company, the CBS Construction Company, Inc. and the Monroe Land Development Company. He was the developer of Pearlman Estates a major cement block housing development offering homes that were easily air conditioned and low in maintenance. Joe Pearlman was also a civic leader who took seriously his obligations to his adopted country. Joe served as president of the Retail Merchants Association for 20 years and was active in the Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross, Cerebral Palsy and Crippled Children's Association, Masons and Elks. He was a member of the Rotary Club for almost 50 years and served as president and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the club. The Rotary Club named him the "Most Outstanding Citizen of

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1978." He was president of B'nai Zion Synagogue from 1925 to 1950. The Depression caused mass migration of people from Key West but his leadership held the Jewish community together and he helped maintain a synagogue and a rabbi. He worked to lead the community back to prosperity. The new synagogue on United Street, built by his CBS Construction Company, opened in 1969. He was chairman of the Key West Jewish Federation and was named Lifetime Honorary President of Congregation B'nai Zion.
Donated by
His Children and Grandchildren In Loving Memory

Erected by His Children and Grandchildren In Loving Memory.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

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 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,

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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: Dr. J.Y. Porter (here, next to this marker); Eduardo H. Gato (here, next to this marker); John Bartlum (here, next to this marker); William R. Kerr (here, next to this marker); Bernie C. Papy (here, next to this marker); Stephen R. Mallory (here, next to this marker); Ellen Russell Mallory (here, next to this marker); Sandy Cornish (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. (Submitted on May 17, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 439 times since then and 41 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on May 17, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the sculpture • Can you help?