Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Turtle Kraals Museum
Key West Art & Historical Society
As long as humans have inhabited the Florida Keys, turtles have been a valuable and much sought after food source. For decades, this building and its kraals operated as a cannery in the center of the turtle industry. Kraals take their name from the Dutch African word for "corral." They functioned as holding pens for captured turtles. Two hundred years of overfishing led to near extinction of the turtle population. The Endangered Species Act of 1971 led to the demise of the cannery.
—Circa 1920—
Key West Historic Marker
Free Audio Walking Tour
Call: 305•507•0300
Sponsor: Key West Historic Seaport
Erected by Key West Historic Seaport. (Marker Number 78.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 24° 33.714′ N, 81° 48.041′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker can be reached from Margaret Street west of Caroline Street, on the right when traveling south. This marker is attached to the Key West Turtle Museum, and is a duplicate of one attached to the old cannery located 30 yards from this site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Margaret St, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thompson's Fish House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Turtle Kraals Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Industry Row (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Southern Terminus the Over-Sea Railway (about 300 feet away); The Railroad that Died at Sea (about 400 feet away); Schooner Western Union (about 400 feet away); The Maggie Atwell House (about 400 feet away); Henry Morrison Flagler (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.
Also see . . .
1. Turtle Kraals & Cannery. (Submitted on June 8, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Key West Art & Historical Society. (Submitted on June 8, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on March 21, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.