The “Cuban Consulate Key West” is a cornerstone property in the heritage of Old Town Key West in terms of both Cuban and architectural history. The “Florida Cuban Heritage Trail” lists the Alfonso/Diaz Carrasco House (“Cuban Consulate Key West”) as one of 30 must see Cuban Heritage sites. Some of the other sites are listed below:
The Alfonso/Diaz Carrasco House is located near the northeast corner of the William and Eaton Streets section (Grinnell St. to the north; Whitehead St. to the south and Caroline and Eaton Streets to the west and east, respectively) of the Key West Historical District. William and Caroline Streets as late as 1874 was the island’s original coastline. Surveys reportedly show that the Gulf of Mexico reached the far side of Caroline Street until landfill was added in 1926. At that time the northeast corner of Caroline housed the Key West Box Company where hundreds of workers built cigar boxes. A walk on William Street today provides a view of Key West’s array of architecture. Tropical colors, textures and patterns are evident along with gingerbread, filigree and picket fences of many designs.
The Key West Historic District (bounded by White, Angela, Windsor, Passover, Thomas and Whitehead Streets and the Gulf of Mexico) recalls a rich Key West past. It contains about 3,100 buildings from the 18th through the 20th century in 190 blocks including one of the most important concentration of wooden buildings in Florida of architectural, commercial, industrial and military significance. The District contains examples of the Bahama style residence constructed of wood and built to withstand high winds. Many of these houses have extensive wrap around woodwork embellished porches. Throughout much of the 19th century Key West was Florida’s largest city and its cosmopolitan population maintained close relations with Cuba.
Located 150 miles from Miami, Key West has been a thriving community for nearly 200 years. Its’ first settlers from South Carolina and St. Augustine arrived in 1821 with the transfer of Florida from Spain to the United States. In the 19th century Key West prospered from its maritime salvage business and in the 1840’s construction of Forts Zachary Taylor and Jefferson and the U.S. Navy Station helped the economy and elevated the island’s strategic importance. Key West was the only Southern post held by Union military during the Civil War and was an important U.S. naval base during the Spanish-American War.
As mentioned previously Key West was an important cigar manufacturing center due to its Cuban refugees. In 1912 the arrival of Flagler’s railroad encouraged developed of the Keys and access to the U.S. mainland helped develop its tourism business. Key West continued as a strategic naval base and today reflects its strength as a resort destination.