Key West Custom House

Key West Custom House. The Island's Architectural Crown Jewel. The third floor had a large space dedicated to the Lighthouse 7th District Office that was responsible for the construction and maintenance of all lighthouses and navigation aids around the southeastern coast of the United States., The United States Federal Court House and judges' chambers occupied the second floor of this building and was the location for the U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry into the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in 1898., When the Custom House building was completed in 1891, it was the center of federal activity on the bustling island. All goods entering or leaving the port were taxed by the Customs Office on the first floor. The island's Post Office was across the hall., Key West's Custom House , The towering brick Custom House with its steeply angled roof and rounded archways was a sight to behold for weary sea travelers arriving into Key West's port. Architecturally, the design of the Custom House followed a standard federal building pattern. Government architects based their model on the work of Henry Hobson Richardson. The edifice was designed with an arched porch colonnade and windows, a grand entrance, brownstone columns, and unique terra cotta detailing, matching the Richardsonian style of the era, mainly in federal buildings., Despite the charming aesthetics of the building, there were several design flaws that did not function well with Key West's tropical climate, nor the intended use of the building. Twelve fireplaces were included in the original scheme, and there was no provision made for restrooms inside the building., What is Richardsonian Romanesque Architecture? , Richardsonian Romanesque architecture is a homegrown, modern American style that was popularized by Henry Hobson Richardson from 1880 to 1900. It is a revival style based on French and Spanish Romanesque patterns of the 11th century and is characterized by massive stone walls and dramatic semicircular arches, and an enthusiasm for interior space. His revival design won him a national reputation, putting his services in high demand., Who was Henry Hobson Richardson? , Henry Hobson Richardson was a highly influential architect in the late 19th century, who created a style that became known as Richardsonian Romanesque., Born in Louisiana, Richardson studied at Tulane and Harvard Universities. His interest in civil engineering shifted to architecture, and he continued his studies at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris., Richardson designed houses, libraries, railroad stations, educational buildings, and commercial and civic structures. He favored horizontal lines, simple silhouettes, and uniform, large-scale details. So impressive was his style that the federal government chose to incorporate it in the design of several buildings after Richardson's death, including the Key West Custom House.