Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Maggie Atwell House
| | Sails To Rails Museum at Flagler Station | |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 5, 2023
1. The Maggie Atwell House Marker
Later, it was the home of Maggie and Henry Atwell and their four children. It also saw service as a camp house for the Civilian Conservation Corps and was at one time part of the Big Pine Key Road Camp Prison.
Built from driftwood that was found washed up on shore, the original house consisted of the one room you see today, with an open, covered porch on the front and right sides. The left porch and the gable roof over the front porch were added before the Atwells moved in. A two-room addition to the rear of the house was also added at a later date. The porches were later enclosed and a six foot by six foot room was added to the right side of the house by Maggie Atwell to be used as a dining area.
After years of neglect and decay, as well as a failed attempt by the Lower Keys Chamber Of Commerce to restore the building and turn it into a museum on Big Pine Key, the house was eventually turned over to Historic Tours of America who brought it to Kev West. It was restored and moved to this site in November of 1999.
(Captions)
Maggie Atwell House in 1996
The Maggie Atwell House after restoration by Historic
this page online
Erected by Sails To Rails Museum at Flagler Station.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 24° 33.679′ N, 81° 47.978′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from the intersection of Caroline Street and Margaret Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 Caroline St, 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: The Railroad that Died at Sea (a few steps from this marker); The Legacy of Henry Morrison Flagler (a few steps from this marker); Henry Morrison Flagler (a few steps from this marker); Southern Terminus the Over-Sea Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); Industry Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Turtle Kraals Museum (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pepes Cafι (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Turtle Kraals Museum (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.
More about this marker. This marker is one of many historical markers located on the grounds of the Sails To Rails Museum at Flagler Station.
Also see . . .
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 5, 2023
2. The Maggie Atwell House Marker
1. The Atwell House: Oldest structure on Big Pine Key Moved to Key West. (Submitted on May 27, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Sails To Rails At Flagler Station. (Submitted on May 27, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. Maggie Atwell 1880 - 1960
Maggie Agnes Atwell lived in this house with her husband and four children in the 1920s and 1930's. Maggie worked as a cook for the Big Pine Key Road Camp Prison. Her husband, Henry, died in a fire in 1937, she survived three of her four children. She passed away on March 7th, 1960.
From the National Collection of Historic Tours of America, Inc.
From the National Collection of Historic Tours of America, Inc.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 608 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 27, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
