A Brief History of Frances Street

524 Frances Street in 1965

A Brief History of Frances Street

By Mary Haffenreffer

One of the earliest settlers of Key West, William Whitehead, surveyed and mapped out Frances Street in February of 1829. At the time it was probably nothing but uncleared tropical scrub, with not enough nutrients to sustain a cow. The most accepted theory of the name’s origin is that “Frances” was the daughter of John W. C. Fleming, another early settler.

Known in Spanish as “Calle Francia,” Whitehead’s vision of Frances Street appears on the 1884 Bird’s Eye View Map showing the early grand homes built by John T. Sawyer and John Roberts among others. They were built – many by shipwrights - without building permits or HARC approval, but we’re lucky enough to have them “grandfathered in”. Local artist Linda Todhunter has recently completed a restoration of the Bird’s Eye View Map that’s bright, crisp and readable. The prints are available at High Wire Framing on Truman Avenue and Key West Light Gallery on Duval Street.

We may boast that most of the illustrious old families, the scions of commerce and industry – the deliciously lavish, the happily unsuspecting, the simple, the thoroughly difficult, the perfectly pious, the naughty, the notorious – all ended up in the Frances Street area, some earlier than others, because this is where in 1847 the City purchased the greater part of what is now the City Cemetery. From time to time it was enlarged as land became available in the outskirts of Key West. To this day a sense of eternal peace pervades for those walking or bicycling through or past the cemetery where no “slow down” sign need be posted – it goes without saying.

The Tax Appraiser’s 1960s photos of houses, viewable on the library website

www.keyslibraries.org, are worth viewing. You can also go to http://www.flickr.com and type in your address. Most Old Town homes can be found there.Included with the images are legal descriptions, street addresses (when known), and approximate construction dates derived from the Historic Sites Survey produced by the City of Key West. The photo site is still a work in progress, but the entire area of the Frances Street Neighborhood Association is complete.

If this piques your curiosity for more information, stop by the History Room of the Public Library for a conversation with Tom Hambright. He’ll surely be able to pull out old maps and photos of your area of interest. He is a cornucopia of hard factual information and colorful local lore.

For a more information on Key West Historic Architecture read this interesting piece at http://www.rudymolinet.com/key-west-houses.html

Let There Be Light!

For several months one of our neighbors has led a campaign to get a street light on the 700 block of Frances. It seems that the light was removed because one neighbor complained it was too bright. Never mind that this is a public street and never mind that the block was dark. The area was very dark and a trip hazard because the beautiful mahogany tree has uplifted the sidewalk. The city is working on installing a new sidewalk product that will allow the tree to grow and provide a better sidewalk.

Our last neighborhood meeting at John and Jacob's home on Frances Street was attended by several elected officials and candidates ( yes, of course it is that time of year again) and by our City Manager Jim Scholl. In Key West, the City Manager form of government places the executive decisions of running our city in the hands of the City Manager. If you want something done, he is the man who can make it happen. And happen it did, in record time! Several residents asked the manager to intervene immediately and replace the light. The block is dark and we wanted the area lit for safety.

I was on my way today to show one of my listings and voila, much to my delight, there was the light. Beautiful, industrial, protruding from the pole hovering over our beloved Frances Street...waving a big "hello" to our quiet neighbors across the street at the Cemetery.

Of course I had to go by tonight to see if it really was true. So Harry and I went on our usual evening walk...and wow, there was the light!

Check out the pictures. Isn't it glorious? I guess Harry and I have been living in Key West too long that the sight of a street light should bring such delight. That is one of the joys of living in Key West. Imagine telling someone in New York or Boston or Atlanta that were are going out on a Friday night to look at a street light...they would think we were nuts, but isn't that why we all live here, but I digress.

Please take a moment to email and thank the City Manager Jim Scholl jscholl@keywestcity.com

Indeed one person CAN make a difference. Try it out. Next time you see something in the city you would like changed, don't just complain, but be part of the solution. For example, spend 10 minutes a day sweeping your sidewalk, or helping your elderly neighbor sweep hers; take in your neighbors garbage can if they are out of town, keep an eye out for each other, pick up litter rather than just walking by...you get the picture!

After all, that is what neighbors do and what makes our neighborhood the best place to live in Key West!

For all sorts of good information on Key West please visit my website www.rudymolinet.com