Key West, Florida - - Where the Houses Largely Define the Character
Those familiar with my column will recall the article I did on the December 2003 visit my wife and I made to Key West, Florida, southernmost city in the continental United States.
As we entered Key West, the true magic and endearing character of this colorful subtropical island city began once we crossed White Street because of the incredible architecture of the houses and buildings
Design Defined
If he wasn’t already, physician and author Alex Caemmerer should be made an honorary citizen of Key West for the painstaking research he did in compiling this wonderful compendium showcasing some of Key West’s most evocative houses.
The book investigates restoration efforts to return many of Key West’s 1880’s wood frame homes to their full glory, or in many cases, a glory never known until some creativity and tender loving care was made, in some cases over a century after they were built.
Mr. Caemmerer’s attention to local history, as well as the history of the architecture and how the houses were constructed, is above reproach.
Architectural Styles
Due to the unique geographical location of Key West, the first Europeans to settle the city came from nearby islands such as Cuba and the Bahamas. In addition, seafarers from coastal New England and the Atlantic coastal South settled the city, bringing their own unique architectural and construction techniques with them, creating architectural styles that reflect Key West’s closeness to the sea and tropics.
Various architectural styles native to the houses of old Key West, such as Classical Revival, Eyebrow Houses, Vernacular, Shotgun Houses, Victoria and Queen Anne, Gothic Revival, Italianate and Octagonal Style.
In addition, great houses such as the John Lowe Jr. House, the W. Hunt Harris House, the Freeman-Curry House, the Southernmost House, the Bahama House and the Hemingway House amongst others are featured in this fine book.
Some of the houses featured in this book may no longer exist, or appear as they did in this book, as it is over 10 years old. Regardless, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of this book prior to any trip to this unique Conch treasure in order to appreciate even more its history and character.
"La Floridiana" is ©2004 by William Moriaty. Webpage design and all graphics herein (except where otherwise noted) are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2004 by Nolan B. Canova.
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