Key West's Working Waterfront

Key West's Working Waterfront. . Key West boasts a hardy and diverse maritime history. Its early story was shaped by surging maritime activity brought forth by European colonization, an increased federal and military presence, and seafaring industries that defined the city's growth and development. During its history, Key West has been compelled to reinvent itself and its industries several times in order to remain self-supporting. Each time it evolves and grows in new ways, one constant remains - its economic dependence and use of coastal waters., The island was well positioned as a convenient way station on the grand highway between ports on the Gulf of Mexico and the flourishing industrial cities of the Northeast. Key West was designated a Federal Customs Port and required a substantial presence to handle the income and growth., A Custom House building has stood on this parcel of land since the 1830s. When the original structure was built, it was waterfront property, unlike it is today. The government added fill on the western end and pushed the waterfront further away from the building., Wrecking 1820s-1920s , The wrecking industry (shipwreck salvaging) developed as the main trade in Key West. Wrecking developed as highly organized and regulated industry, with dozens of vessels and hundreds of men active in the trade. As a hub for salvage, arbitration, and auction, the island quickly became Florida's largest city and for time America's richest city per capita., Sponging 1840s-1930s , Discovered in the Florida Keys, sea sponges became the basis for one of Key West's most lucrative businesses. To explore the profitability of sponges found in the local waters, a sample shipment was dispatched to New York City. The softness and wide variety immediately appealed to buyers, thus launching a profitable industry that endured for over 50 years., Turtling 1870s-1970s , Green turtle fishing became a thriving industry in the 1870s, benefitting from local abundant turtle stocks. Once turtles were netted, fishermen loaded them onto boats and returned to Key West. Turtles were then placed into pens called 'kraals' until they were taken to the slaughterhouse and cannery where their meat was processed into turtle soup and turtle steaks., Shrimping 1940s-1990s , Florida pink shrimp were discovered off the Dry Tortugas in 1949, Shrimpers flocked to Key West bringing nearly 500 shrimp trawlers in the 1950s and 1960s. The bustling shrimp industry became a significant driving force in the local economy for decades. This era is referred to as the 'pink gold rush'. During its height, the industry netted more than $5 million each year.