Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Alexander Cruz / Julia Gardner House
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2018
1. Alexander Cruz/ Julia Gardner House Marker
Inscription.
Alexander Cruz, also, Julia Gardner House. . The cigar industry of Key West dates from 1831, when the first cigar factory was established. After the 1868 Cuban War of Independence, Key West’s cigar manufacturing industry boomed, reaching its zenith at the turn of the twentieth century. In 1885, Cuban-born Dolores Fernandez de Cruz purchased this corner lot from Bahamian pioneer William Saunders, who lived here from 1850 to 1880. The Cruz Brothers, Andres, Alexander, and Jose, erected a three-story cigar factory on this site by 1889, providing a business and residence for the family. In 1900, Alexander Cruz bought the factory. He built this 2 1/2 story Neoclassical home on this site circa 1904. The house and lot are significant for their link to the Cuban cigar industry in Key West, which contributed to the island’s economic preeminence at the turn of the century. Julia Gardner, daughter of Richard Henry Albury, one of the island’s most prosperous land owners, purchased the residence in 1918 and owned it for 30 years. Due to its distinctive form, proportion, materials, siting, and architectural details, the Alexander Cruz House contributes to the Key West Historic District.
The cigar industry of Key West dates from 1831, when the first cigar factory was established. After the 1868 Cuban War of Independence, Key West’s cigar manufacturing industry boomed, reaching its zenith at the turn of the twentieth century. In 1885, Cuban-born Dolores Fernandez de Cruz purchased this corner lot from Bahamian pioneer William Saunders, who lived here from 1850 to 1880. The Cruz Brothers, Andres, Alexander, and Jose, erected a three-story cigar factory on this site by 1889, providing a business and residence for the family. In 1900, Alexander Cruz bought the factory. He built this 2 1/2 story Neoclassical home on this site circa 1904. The house and lot are significant for their link to the Cuban cigar industry in Key West, which contributed to the island’s economic preeminence at the turn of the century. Julia Gardner, daughter of Richard Henry Albury, one of the island’s most prosperous land owners, purchased the residence in 1918 and owned it for 30 years. Due to its distinctive form, proportion, materials, siting, and architectural details, the Alexander Cruz House contributes to the Key West Historic District.
Erected 2017 by The Banyan Time Share Resort and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-983.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
Location. 24° 33.38′ N, 81° 48.282′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker is at the intersection of Whitehead Street and Eaton Street, on the right when traveling north on Whitehead Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 403 Eaton Street, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Looking north along Whitehead St. with Eaton St. in the foreground.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 897 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
