I love how you can combine history with a really cool place to stay. The Weatherstation Inn combines my two loves. Located at 57 Front Street, you are in the heart of Truman Annex. One of the quietest, most centrally located places in town. Centrally located to the nightly sunset celebration held at Mallory Square and the food and drinks on Duval, you are just a few blocks away from all that Key West offers.
History
First, let’s talk the Weatherstation Inn’s history. The Navy began to increase their presence in Key West during the 1930’s. At that time in history, World War seemed just around the corner. The ideal year-round weather and a central location led the way for the Navy to establish a submarine base in Key West.
In 1832, at the Lighthouse, daily rain amounts began to be recorded. This was probably due to a response to collect water from rooftops. In the 1800’s the Island’s only source of water came from that collected off of rooftops. Every drop of rain counted.
Weather Service
By 1870, a Joint Congressional Resolution requiring the Secretary of War “to provide for taking meteorological observations at the military stations to make wringing by magnetic telegraph and marine signals, of the approach and force of storms” was introduced. On February 9, 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed it into law. This law created the national weather service which affects our daily lives, even today.
By 1890, the Army Signal Corps had expanded to 24 sites and was transferred to the Department of Agriculture as the National Weather Bureau.
This US Weather Bureau building was founded in 1912. In 1951, the building served as residential housing for the US Navy and was then abandoned when the base closed in 1974.
Today
Today, the Weatherstation Inn is an exclusive bed and breakfast which offers 8 different rooms – some even have balconies. The Inn offers a complementary breakfast, free parking and an outdoor pool for their guests.
Opened to the public in 1997 with it’s central location, you really are never too far from the fun found in Key West. When booking a room, check out some of their available discounts … Florida resident, Senior and AAA are just some of the ones offered.
(credit: KeyWestHistoricMarkerTour.org)
