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

Waterfront Playhouse

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 23, 2024

1. Waterfront Playhouse Marker

Inscription. Dating from the 1860s, the masonry building shown in left center was used by Tift & Company as a warehouse to store goods salvaged from vessels wrecked on the nearby reef. Proceeds from wrecking made Key West one of the wealthiest cities in the United States in the 19th century.

The large wooden structure on the left in the photograph was the base of Tift Tower. The 72-foot tower served a dual purpose for Tift & Company. It was used to spot ships grounded on the reef so that wreckers could be sent to the rescue and it was used to spot incoming vessels so their arrivals could be announced.

In the early 1960s, the Key West Players restored the masonry structure and adapted it for use as a modern playhouse. The photograph shows what today is the rear of the building. On the side of the building, one can still see where the original workmen etched their names and the date 1868.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.

Location. 24° 33.584′ N, 81° 48.424′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from

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the intersection of Wall Street and Tifts Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 407 Wall 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: William A. Whitehead (here, next to this marker); Jefferson B. Browne (a few steps from this marker); Charley P. Toppino (a few steps from this marker); A. Maitland Adams (a few steps from this marker); Commodore David W. Porter (a few steps from this marker); Captain John Huling Geiger (a few steps from this marker); Dr. Jeptha Vining Harris (a few steps from this marker); Henry Morrison Flagler

Waterfront Playhouse Marker (marker on the right side of the photo) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 23, 2024

2. Waterfront Playhouse Marker (marker on the right side of the photo)

(a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 30, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.