December 14 - The Contract for the Building of the Key West Custom House was Awarded - a podcast by 43 Keys Media

As Key West became increasingly wealthy, the four story architectural marvel known as the Custom House was built, and it is a perfect example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. It's easily one of the most beautiful buildings in Key West and the crown jewel of the island.

Despite the difficulties and delays in construction, the Custom House opened in April of 1891. Built at a total cost of $107,955 - and that was almost $30,000 over the budget.

The Key West climate took an immediate toll on the building and the salty air eroded parts of it. The Hurricanes of 1909, 1910, and 1920 caused considerable damage to the brick building.

The new building housed Key Wesr customs offices, the District Court and the post office. When it first opened, the building was occupied on the first floor by the postal and custom services, with the second floor containing the courtroom and court offices, while the lighthouse inspector and other government officials were housed on the third floor. During its prime the Custom House heard thousands of cases and judgments ranging from rum runners to ship salvaging claims. The most significant proceedings dealt with the sinking of the US Maine in Havana Harbor, which ultimately led to the Spanish American War.

As the decades passed, the Customs House saw a decrease in use. In the 1930s, the customs offices, the District Court and the post office all moved to new facilities. The Navy moved some of its personnel into the building into a utilitarian office space, they dropped the ceiling and turned the large gracious rooms into small functional offices. The beautifully arched wrap-around porch was also enclosed to create additional workspace.

Despite the fact that in 1973, the Custom House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Navy eventually decided to abandon the building. With all of its former tenants relocated, the Custom House was sealed, fenced off and left a feral cats, transients and just general decay. In 1976, after being declared a Historic Custom House by the Treasury Department, the structures ownership title was given to the city of Key West.

Throughout the 1980s, the custom houses future remained in doubt. Various plans were drafted, which saw the historic building being converted into a yacht club and at one point even to an upscale resort. Ultimately after being sold in 1991 to the Florida Land Acquisition Advisory Council. The Key West Art and Historical Society undertook the restoration of the dilapidated building. In 1993, historic renovations began on the building under the supervision of lead architect Bert Bender. What had originally cost less than $110,000 to build in four years, now cost nearly $9 million to renovate over nine years. Restoration of the building followed historical preservation guidelines and used original construction materials. The building required modernization in order to accommodate a public museum and offices. This required the installation of additional stairwells and elevator, temperature control climates, archival rooms, offices and facilities to accommodate over 300,000 visitors a year. With restorations completed in 1999, the Key West Art and Historical Society reopened the beautiful Custom House as the crown jewel of Key West

And it was today December the 14th, 1888, that the contract for the Custom House at the end of Whitehead Street was awarded. The structure was completed three years later and occupied in the latter part of 1891.

And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West was History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about our glorious past here on the Florida Keys and our future visit http://43keys.com.

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