The Houses of Key West

by Alex Caemmerer

Key West is an architectural treasure trove of houses built in the 19th century, including eyebrow houses, shotgun houses, and Conch Victorians. Many of Key West's houses were built by ships' carpenters with no plans other than memories of seaport homes from their widow's walks borrowed from New England, and overhanging eaves (eyebrows) from the West Indies. Builders also added details from architectural fads of the time - from Greek Revival columns to Creole trellises. Many charming anecdotes about old Key West gleaned from interviews with descendants of the families who built houses there are included. This book, full of color photographs, is for anyone who loves to look at charming old houses and imagine their histories.

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Maria Wroblewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interior photos would add to the book.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the unique architecture of Key West, FL. While the information was interesting, the book itself is outdated. I wish the publisher would release an updated version with newer photos of the houses. I also wish the author would have included the Oldest House in Key West, the Watlington House, in the book. With that said, some of the houses featured are architecturally striking and beautiful. Two of the residences that I liked were the J.Y. Porter House and the Ernest Hemingway House. Both are unique aesthetically.