Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The History of the Southernmost Point
Photographed by James Hulse, January 11, 2026
1. The History of the Southernmost Point Marker
Inscription.
The History of the Southernmost Point. . The International Ocean Telegraph Company started laying cable on July 26, 1867, which connected Cuba, Key West and Punta Rassa, Florida. The cable was a welcome addition because mail from ships was slow and sometimes lost. It proved invaluable, transmitting news of the explosion of the battleship Maine in Havana Harbor, was used to intercept spanish top secret cables during the spanish-American War. A small concrete structure, still at this site, was built to service the 1917 cable extension to Miami. The schooner Western Union was used for deep water servicing of the cable. With the deterioration of the political situation with Fidel Castro and the development of satellite transmission, the cable became obsolete., The Cuban Cable - Landing the shore end at South Beach Key West, Dr. J.B. Holder, USA. [Sen Pack 574.]
The International Ocean Telegraph Company started laying cable on July 26, 1867, which connected Cuba, Key West and Punta Rassa, Florida. The cable was a welcome addition because mail from ships was slow and sometimes lost. It proved invaluable, transmitting news of the explosion of the battleship Maine in Havana Harbor, was used to intercept spanish top secret cables during the spanish-American War. A small concrete structure, still at this site, was built to service the 1917 cable extension to Miami. The schooner Western Union was used for deep water servicing of the cable. With the deterioration of the political situation with Fidel Castro and the development of satellite transmission, the cable became obsolete.
The Cuban Cable - Landing the shore end at South Beach Key West, Dr. J.B. Holder, USA. [Sen Pack 574.]
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is July 26, 1867.
Location. 24° 32.812′ N, 81° 47.769′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It is on Duval Street south of South Street, on the right
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when traveling south. The marker is located near the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1498 Duval 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 49 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
