Construction on the Key West Aquarium began in 1932 after Dr. Robert O. Van Deusen, superintendent of the Fairmount Park Aquarium in Philadelphia, proposed the creation of an open-air aquarium and garden. The idea was to attract visitors to the little island city, boost the local economy, and serve as a showroom for other aquariums wishing to feature Key West’s diverse native marine life in their own exhibits. Funded by the Civil Works Administration and later the Florida Emergency Relief Administration, directed by Julius Stone, the doors opened on February 17, 1935. The concrete that was used to form the aquarium structure and holding tanks was mixed with seawater from the ocean, as fresh water was hard to come by in those days. Upon its opening in February 1935, just in time for the first official “Tourist Season,” the aquarium not only was a major attraction but had the honor of being the first open-air aquarium in the United States.
The waters around Key West are home to a variety of marine life, from sharks to sea turtles, jellyfish to stingrays and a plethora of other fish and invertebrates. Sharks are a common sight in the waters around Key West, and they can be seen swimming in the shallow waters of the seagrass flats as well as out on the reef. Sea turtles can be spotted here as well. The Florida Keys are a major feeding and nesting ground for loggerhead and green sea turtles. Jellyfish are a common sight, drifting at the surface with the current. You can also see fields of upside-down jellyfish resting on the bottom. Key West is famous for lobsters and stone crabs, which can be spotted in nooks and crannies in the reef. Finally, stingrays can often be seen swimming in the shallow waters near the shore or buried under the sand with only their eyes showing.
At the Key West Aquarium, visitors can observe a variety of sea life, including sea turtles, stingrays and tropical fish. Visitors can learn about the importance of conservation and the need to protect our oceans and marine life.
