Truman Annex
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Truman Annex is a neighborhood in Old Town, Key West, Florida where the winter White House for President Harry S. Truman during its days as part of the Key West Naval Station is located. The Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida was the winter White House for President Truman for 175 days during 11 visits.
[edit] History
The annex got its start in 1845 as part of the Fort Zachary Taylor army base. The base was eventually taken over in 1947 as the "Fort Zachary Taylor Annex" to the Key West Naval Station. New docks had been added in 1932 to make it a home base for submarines. The base was mostly decommissioned in 1974 because nuclear submarines were too big.
The Navy's primary base, the Naval Air Station Key West, continues to operate about six miles east of the annex on Boca Chica Key.
Most of the annex was sold to private developers who have made it a gated residential community.
32.4 acres of the Truman Annex Navy were transferred to the City of Key West at no cost to be used for green space and to protect a neighborhood known as "Bahama Village" which is home to many citizens of African-Bahamian decent.
Many refugees from the Mariel boatlift arrived via the Annex.
The area around the actual brick fort has been turned into a state park.
The ship berthing dock and the Outer Mole (Harbor) have been retained by the Navy which dredges the harbor and collects 40 percent of cruise ship docking fees.
The Annex was renamed the "Truman Annex" after Truman spent his winters in Key West in the annex.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Truman Little White House official site
- Monroe County listings at National Register of Historic Places
- Exclusive video of Truman Little White House on uVu
- Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs
- Truman Annex is at coordinates Coordinates:
