Truman Annex facts for kids
The Truman Annex is a unique neighborhood and military area in Key West, Florida, United States. It covers the western part of Key West island, except for a small area called Bahama Village. This historic spot was once part of the U.S. Navy base called Naval Station Key West. It is famous because it was home to the "Little White House," where President Harry S. Truman spent many of his winter vacations. President Truman visited Key West 11 times, staying for a total of 175 days.
The Truman Annex was once a Navy base. After 1973, the Navy no longer needed all of the land. So, it was decided to turn this area into a new community. This project was very successful. It created a mix of homes, shops, and parks. Today, it includes beautiful homes, apartments, a hotel, and even museums. The most important building is the Harry S. Truman Little White House. This building was President Truman's vacation home. Now, it is a museum where people can learn about its history. The Truman Annex has won many awards for its design and planning. One award was the 1994 Florida Design Arts Award.
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History of the Truman Annex
The history of the Truman Annex began in 1845. It started as part of Fort Zachary Taylor. This was a fort built by the U.S. Army. Over time, the U.S. Navy took over the area. In 1947, it became known as the "Fort Zachary Taylor Annex" to Naval Station Key West.
New docks were built in 1932. These docks made the base a home for submarines. But by 1974, most of the base was closed down. This was because modern nuclear submarines had become too big. They could no longer use the old facilities. The Navy's main base in the area, Naval Air Station Key West, is now located about six miles (10 km) east on Boca Chica Key.
Becoming a Community and Park
Today, the area around Fort Taylor is a state park. It is called Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Much of the former Navy land was sold to private companies. They built a gated neighborhood there. You can still visit the Truman Little White House inside this area.
About 32.4 acres (131,000 m2) of land were given to the City of Key West. This land was used for green spaces. It also helped protect the nearby "Bahama Village" neighborhood. This area is home to many people with African-Bahamian heritage. A part of the land is still used by the military. It is now called Naval Air Station Key West - Truman Annex.
A Place of Arrival
In 1980, many refugees arrived in Key West. They came during an event called the Mariel boatlift. Many of these people arrived right at the Truman Annex docks. The Navy still uses the main ship dock and the Outer Mole (Harbor). They also help keep the harbor deep enough for ships. The Navy even gets a share of the fees from cruise ships that dock there.
The entire area was later renamed the "Truman Annex." This was done to honor U.S. President Harry S. Truman. He loved spending his winters in Key West at what is now the Little White House.
