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

Key West Woman's Club

Martin Hellings House

Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015

1. Key West Woman's Club Marker

Inscription. The Martin Hellings House, constructed c. 1892 by Captain Martin L. Hellings, is one of only a few historic houses in Key West not built of wood. Hellings was a native of Pennsylvania and a Union soldier in the Civil War. In 1881, Hellings married Eleanor Curry, daughter of a prominent Key West merchant famly. In 1883, he became cable manager of the International Ocean Telegraphy Company in Key West, an important position at the time, as telegraphs were the only rapid long distance communication. Before and during the Spanish American War, he operated an intelligence service for the U.S. Government and provided the White House War Room with the latest news from Cuba. After Martin Hellings' death in 1908, the house was converted into professional offices, and for many years housed the offices of Judge W. Hunt Harris. The Key West Woman's Club (KWWC) established in 1915, purchased the building in 1940. The KWWC founded and maintained Key West's first public library in this building. The KWWC continues its mission of volunteer service, and financial support to local non-profits while preserving this Queen Anne style brick mansion for future generations.

A Florida Heritage Site sponsored by Key West Woman's ClubKey West Woman's Club and the Florida Department of State

Erected

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

2014 by Hellings Curry Museum-Home of the Key West Woman’s Club. (Marker Number F-814.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Communications • War, Spanish-American • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 24° 33.447′ N, 81° 48.235′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It is on Duval Street north of Eaton Street, on the right when traveling north. Located in front of the Hellings Curry Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 319 Duval 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 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: Captain Martin Hellings House (a few steps from this marker); The Oldest House (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain's Room (within shouting distance of this marker); The Oldest House Cistern (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Curry Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Cookhouses (within shouting distance of this marker); The Patterson-Baldwin House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Oldest Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . . Hellings Curry Museum - home of the Key West Woman's Club. (Submitted on January 22, 2025.)

Key West Woman's Club image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015

2. Key West Woman's Club

Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015

3. Key West Woman's Club Marker

Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015

4. Key West Woman's Club Marker

Photographed by Key West Woman's Club

5. Key West Woman's Club Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,192 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on January 21, 2025, by Key West Woman's Club of Key West, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 25, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. 5. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Key West Woman's Club of Key West, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.