19. 516 Duval Street,
San Carlos Opera House
Named for Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, a wealthy Cuban patriot,
the San Carlos Institute was dedicated in 1871 as a political
and social center for the Cuban community. The Spanish language
was taught in the only public school in the United States maintained
by a foreign government.
The original wooden building was destroyed in 1886. The Cuban
government rebuilt the San Carlos which was dedicated on October
10, 1924, the 56th anniversary of "El Grito de Yara," a
Cuban national holiday. It's a splendid example of Cuban architecture
with a distinctive interior lobby with beautiful majolica tiles.
19a. 512 1/2 Duval Street, Karr Breiz Creperie
Tucked in between the San Carlos and Margaritaville, is America's
smallest creperie, Karr Breiz, taking its name from the
Celtic for "Brittany cart". Step up to the colorful
cart, and enjoy the space newly created by Sylvie and Yolande--serving
up salad-stuffed galettes, dessert crepes, (try the nutella
and banana) and fresh ice creams. A highlight anytime,
especially evenings.
20. 500 Duval Street, Kress Building / Margaritaville
Fast Buck Freddie's. Erected in 1913, and for 50 years thereafter
the brick building was Kress 5 and 10 Cent store. In 1978
Bill Conkle and Tony Falcone opened Fast Buck Freddie's,
a tropical mini-Bloomingdale's noted for fabulous
window displays. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Cafe and
Store, replete with Parrothead souvenirs and "cheeseburgers
in paradise," are musts for fans of the "Havana
Daydreaming" troubadour, who got his start in Key West.
21. 336 Duval, Henry Baldwin House/Prudential Knight-Keyside
Properties/ Kirsti Madeo
From her office in the historic Baldwin House, site of Key
West's earliest school, Kirsti Madeo, a much awarded realtor,
provides expertise on the local real estate market, which
has exploded.
22. 322 Duval, Oldest House Museum
Known locally as "the Oldest House," this three-dormered
dwelling is purported to be the oldest structure in south
Florida. Its architecture is strongly influenced by the colonial
frame buildings found in the Caribbean and New England. It
was likely moved from Whitehead Street after its construction
circa 1829 by Richard Cussans, a carpenter and wreckers'
auctioneer. The house features the only cook house with a "bee-hive" oven
in the Keys. The brick kitchen is separate from the main
house, as were all of Key West's early kitchens. Captain
Francis Watlington, a Customs Inspector, Lightship captain
and harbor pilot (later a Lieutenant in the Confederate Navy),
his wife and nine daughters occupied the house for decades.
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23. 319 Duval Street,
Martin Hellings House / Key West Woman's Club
Originally the prominent brick residence of Captain Martin L. Hellings, manager
of the International Ocean Telegraph Company, whose wife Eleanor founded the
Christian Science Church in Key West. The first public library opened here. Restored
by the Key West Woman's Club. The red barn in the rear was converted from a stable
to an intimate local stage, the Red Barn Theater, where premiere productions
are standard fare and seats number less than one hundred. Don't miss, stage lovers.
24. 314 Duval, William R. Porter House / Grand Cafe
A Victorian gem, this 2 1/2 story home was erected by William R. Porter circa
1900. Porter was the eldest son of Dr. J. Y. Porter, who owned the adjacent
corner house. Born in 1871, Porter began a newspaper, The Gulf Pennant, at
twenty-one. Soon he established a fire-insurance business, still operating
today. Porter became vice-president of First National
Bank, and chairman of the Board of Public Works. In 1898 he married Grace Dorgan
of Mobile, and they resided on Duval for many years. In 2003, Grand Cafe opened
in this fully restored National Register landmark.
25. 200 Block Of Duval Street
Between two corner bars, Sloppy Joe's and the Bull and Whistle, one finds a
melange of heirlooms, including the cast concrete former Island City Bank
founded in 1905, exemplifying a Havana influence, also evident at the Bull,
once Carlos Recio's Grocery. The Fogarty House at 227 is where in 1912 Key
West's mayor, Dr. Jeremiah Fogarty, entertained Henry
Flagler, President William Taft and dignitaries celebrating the historic railroads
linking of the island to the mainland.
26. 115 Duval, Claude Roberts House/Bagatelle
This gracious, Greek Revival antiquarian was erected by a sea captain, and
became home to Claude Roberts, foreman for the Cortez Cigar factory in the
1890's. After its move down Duval from Fleming Street on rollers in 1976,
it opened as the Rose Tattoo, a favorite dining place of Tennessee Williams.
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