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

Norberg Thompson

1883-1951

— Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden —

Norberg Thompson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. Norberg Thompson Marker

Inscription. Norberg was named for his grandfather, John Norberg, a Norwegian sea captain who's vessel was wrecked on the Florida reef. Norberg Thompson was educated in the schools of Key West, Mount Pleasant Military Academy and New York University. He graduated in 1906 from law school. Due to his father's death, he abandoned his chosen profession and succeeded his father as the country's largest sponge dealer in Key West. In 1912, he purchased the A. Granday Turtle Canning Company and founded the Key West Box Company to supply the cigar industry. In 1913, he started the Thompson Fish Company shipping fresh fish to northern markets. To support the fish company, he constructed Thompson Ice Company, a marine railway, and a hardware store. At one time, his seafood enterprises were reputedly the largest south of New England. In 1949, the Thompson Fish Company discovered the shrimp bed off Key West and revitalized the waterfront with the quest for "pink gold " Prior to a highway being extended to Key West, he operated a freight barge line to Miami and, on the opening of U.S.1, his truck line, Overseas Transportation Co., replaced the barge

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line to serve all the Keys. He contributed to the design and built sailing vessels for his specific operations: the turtle schooner "A.M. Adams” , the "Western Union” cable repair vessel and the “Marie J. Thompson.” Norberg Thompson served on the City Council, County Commission, Overseas Road and Toll Bridge District, and Everglades National Park Commission.
Donated by
Edward B. and Joan Thompson Knight

Erected by Edward B. and Joan Thompson Knight.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 24° 33.59′ N, 81° 48.415′ 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. Norberg Thompson 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: Lena Johnson (here, next to this marker); Ernest Hemingway (here, next to this marker); John Lowe, Jr. (here, next to this marker); Carlos Manuel De Cespedes y Cespedes (here, next to this marker); Dr. Jeptha Vining Harris (here, next to this marker); Livingston Wellesley Bethel (here, next to this marker); William R. Kerr (here, next to this marker); John Watson Simonton (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. The Story of Green Turtle Soup. (Submitted on May 18, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. The Key West Sculpture Garden – Where History Meets Art. (Submitted on May 18, 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 18, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 966 times since then and 139 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.