Key West was an integral part of anti submarine warfare throughout the Cold War period from 1946 to 1974 with numerous American and Allied sailors trained here. Details of these trips are found in the presidential logs. Truman rested and relaxed in November 1946 returning for a total of 11 working vacations lasting 175 days until March 1952. Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz recommended the Key West Naval Station.

Following World War II, President Truman needed rest and a warm climate The Naval Station became the home of the Fleet Sonar School, Underwater weapons Development and Underwater Swimmer’s School (later called Scuba). Inventor Thomas Edison resided in the house for six months in 1918 while perfecting 41 weapons for the US war effort.ĭuring World War II a number of German U Boats sank cargo and military ships in the Gulf Stream and especially around Key West.

A very early submarine base was established here as well as one of the first Naval Air Stations equipped with blimps and seaplanes. The 1900s saw the Key West Naval station grow in importance as the headquarters of the Seventh Naval District encompassing all the State of Florida. The sinking of the US Maine in 1898 brought national attention to Key West and many of the sailors and supplies were dispatched from either Key West or Tampa. The 1870s saw growing unrest between Spain and Cuba and the Atlantic Fleet was stationed in Key West to protect US interest in Cuba. Many historians create this action with shortening the war by a couple of years. Business was brisk in this small seafaring town and it rapidly became the largest city in the State of Florida.ĭuring the American Civil war, Key West, due to the presence of the US Navy and US Army, remained in Union hands and became the headquarters of the Gulf blockade of the Confederacy. Key West was declared the finest port south of Charleston, SC.

Commodore David Porter was successful and the city of Key West incorporated in 1828. Nearly 2000 brethren of the coast were attacking the ships of the United States, Spain and England as they sailed the Caribbean island or used the Gulf Stream to sail to Europe. In 1823 the residents of Key West requested the US Navy secure the shipping lanes and protect them from pirates. The story of the Little White House, Key West and the US military are forever linked.

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