In April of 1982, the US Border Patrol created a roadblock to the islands of the Florida Keys. This effort, meant to halt illegal drug trafficking and illegal immigration from Cuba and the Caribbean, made it nearly impossible for tourists to visit the beautiful Florida Keys islands and the famous island city of Key West. In response, Key West declared its independence from the United States, titling itself The Conch Republic. Although this attempt to secede from the state of Florida and the U.S. proved itself as more of a hoax, the name stuck. When I visited the Florida Keys and Key West in December of 2019, Conch Republic flags still fly high. Although it isn’t a legitimate nation, Key West maintains a distinctive identity via its laid-back culture, its world-famous Key Lime pie, iguanas and roosters roaming the streets, and its distinctive architecture. Let’s take a look at the Conch House style unique to the island and some other notable buildings found within the Conch Republic. 

It’s truly compelling to think that the Florida Keys maintains a distinctive architectural identity that has been copied by numerous areas in South Florida and the coastal United States. Caribbean sailors greatly influenced the island by building cottages known as Conch Houses since the early 1800s. Islands present many challenges to builders: a lack of building materials, extremely warm temperatures, and the constant threat of destructive hurricanes. Conch Houses, instead of the typical mortar and brick used for regular homes, are made from crushed-up sea shells, particularly Conch shells. In order to combat the constant heat and humidity, the homes sit above the ground, allowing cool breezes to chill the floor and the lower levels of the house. Large windows let air in from the sea; they feature expansive shutters to cover the glass during dangerous summer storms. The homes also utilize airy wrap-around porches and bright colors to add to the island flair. 

One of Key West’s most famous residents, world-renowned author Ernest Hemingway, lived in a stunning Conch Style home that I had the opportunity to tour during my visit to the island. The Ernest Hemingway House, constructed in the Spanish Colonial style with Conch elements, finished construction in 1851 and features extensive gardens, a swimming pool (unusual for Floridian homes at the time), and eclectic furnishings from Hemingway’s travels around the globe. Arguably the most famous feature of the home is the numerous six-toed cats that roam the grounds. These cats, with their rare extra toe, are direct descendants of Hemingway’s original six-toed cats that served as his companions as he wrote famous novels like For Whom the Bell Tolls. Other famed sites include the “Little White House”, which was used as a vacation home for U.S. President Harry Truman in the 1940s. 

Key West is undoubtedly one of the most unique cities in America. It is truly the physical embodiment of Jimmy Buffet’s classic song “Margaritaville” where the party never stops on its crowded Duval Street. If you ever take the time to drive to the southernmost point of U.S. 1 and visit the Conch Republic, be sure to take in its famed architecture that continues to serve as inspiration for the island homes and resorts of the American Gulf Coast to this day.