~ .

10·93 (May1929) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

•.P.RQEQSED _____ NATIONAL/>j.#c MONUMENTS

MARTELLO TOWER RESERVATIONS

FILE NO. 0-35

P.AR'l' I.

,, PROPOSED NATIONAL MONUMENTS

MARTELLO TOWER RESERVATIONS

(GENERAL)

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LAST DATE ON TOP IMPORTANT This file constitutes a part of the official records of the National Park Service and should not be separated or papers withdrawn without express authority of the official in charge. All Files should be returned promptly to the File Room. Officials and employees will be held responsible for failure to observe these rules, which are necessary to protect tho integrity of the official records. ARNO B. CAMMERER, 6-7410 Director. ...

WILLARD M. ALBURY EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

MAYOR MAYOR'S OFFICE , FLORIDA

January 25, 1938 Hon. Harold I. Ickee Secretary of the Interior WaF.?hington, D.C. My deer Secretary Ickes:

I wish to call your attention to two abandoned located in Key We~t, Florida. TheRe forte are known a~ the East and We~t Martello Towers. tney are said to have been constructed by the War Department ir. 1861 as an s.ddi tional coast defense for this area.

The Ea~t Martello Tower waA built on the southern shore of the Island of Key West and the West Martello Tower a few miles nearer town.

The forts lona- a~o were abandoned as far aF> their value in defense goes,"'but their beauty and architectural design has corn~ down through the yea.rs. The East Martello Tower is possibly t~E· most beautiful and imposing of Key VieP.t' s old forts. Some of the old Irish brick layers ~ho constructed it~ handsome arches settled down in Key West and rec:!'ed families. The forts 2re like­ wise of int.3rest because of their unique design and construction. .· They are constructed of handmade brick and consist of a tower ... of the Martello typ<: ~urrcunded by ca~em~.tes and a para.pet rein­ forced ~ith sand embankments. The main structures likewise contain dung-eons and cells which are found in most fortifications of their period.

A rca.dway, Roosevelt Bouleva.rd, passes by the Ea At Martello TO''ffr. The We st lfa rtello Tower, however, i a so close to the we te r 1 s edge that the ~ntire structure iF- in dan~er of being demolished bv the erosion which has taken "!')la.ce since-th~ storm of 1919. ~ It is in the interest of the preservation of these old land marks that we respectfully request the consideration of these sites as national monuments. These ~truct~res could rF~dily te handl~d and AUpervised by the sa.me personnel that 2re located in Key ~vett for the -ourpose of sunerviRinQ' the Fort Jefferson National Monurnent ~ This would· be another 1 ink in the chain of historical site~ which the National Park Service h?-.s made available to thousands of Florida 1 ~ .,,inter visitors. ThiR chFJ in extend£=! from Fort }farion, at St. Au9-Ustinr., F:orida, to Fort JefferRon, vuhich is 60 milPs from Key West. Under the sunervision of the above mentioned ~Iational Pa::-k Service pers~nnel, now located here, it may be possible to carry on the restoration work ~ith COO ~orkers. Bricks could be salvaged from the ruins and used in restoring certain units of the structures to their ori~inal condition.

I enclot=te a Key West Booklet ~hich contains a.n illustration of an artist'e concention of EaRt Martello Tower when it is restored. I trust this request may receive your ea.rnest consideration and thereby save for posterity two of America's finest examplfs of military arcr.itecture of the Civil War period.

·' UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT .OF THE INTER IO NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

OFFICE OP FORT MARION NATIONAL MONUMENT COORDINATING SUPERINTENDENT FORT MATANZAS NATIONAL MONUMENT FORT PULASKI NATIONAL MONUMENT PINCKNEY NATIONAL MONUMENT FORT FREDERICA NATIONAL MONUMENT OCMULGEE NATIONAL MONUMENT ~lo ' FORT JEFFERSON NATidM~NUMENT '.>:he Director, 0· iJlt> •~It.. R4: J:Jat~.one.~ Park S~rv~cc,~ ~l~ _ ~ );)J/i) •; nsh mg ton , u • .., • ;1 Q_,D-- ~ Lear li.r. Director: J

1'he Martello Towers e.t Key West which he.ve be~ sug­ gested as historic sites were inspected February 20 Asso­ ciate Director ~emeray, Dr. Ronalds, Engineer OlL~us Smith, Phil Puderer, Dan Beard, ond ifrs. DemarE'.y being; present. C~ February 22 e: meetins was held at vrhich l:~ayor .Albury, 1r. Ronalds and tLe writer were present. On February 23 Dr. Ronalds had conference with !fojor IfoUullen.

The "!far DepD.rtment is using Jrlc,rtello ·Towers e..s range finders end, t..lierefore, refuses to transfer them to the Department of the Interior.

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Sincerely yours, ~/::.~ hek/h. Coore.line. tiq; Super in tend errt

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WASHINGTON

August 21, 1939.

Memorandum for the Acting Director:

In accordance with your instructions, I have contacted the War Department regarding possible cooperative use. of West Martello Tower at Key West between the War Department and the Interior Department. Major Duff is handUng the matter for the War Department, and ad­ vised me that he had radioed to the Conunanding General of the Fourth Corps area to secure his recommendations on how the cooperation may be worked out. As soon as the reply comes in, Major Duff will con­ tact me and we will discuss possible arrangements.

In the meantime, I have wired to Superintendent Edward D. Free­ land asking for his recommendations, and have received the following:

11Retel Lee today. West Martello Towers Keywest. Suggest repair for safety of public and work may be done by side camp.from CCC Camp at Summerland Key: Regular personnel .· necessary only for pro"tection as story may be told by pic­ tures and dioramas. Its history is not spectacular and most important function will be its preservation and rela­ tion to Fort ·Jefferson.~ Suggest Park Service assume the· administration, maintenance and protection and War Depart­ ment to retain right of use tor defense and annual train­ ing for coast defense. This arrangement will not permit any conflict between departments. Letter follows."

I am not sure that Freeland has the full picture. I believe that Mr. Demaray, when this matter was previously considered, had in mind the possibility of a National Park Service headquarters at Key West, probably at the West Martello Tower, which headquarters would serve not only for Fort Jefferson and Key West but, to some extent, the park­ way features of the new highway from Miami to Key West. I am looking into the status of our relations to that highway development and will discuss the 'Whole program with you before conferring with Major Duff.

Supervisor~f:~ of Historic Sites. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

FORT MARION NATIONAL MONUMENT FORT MATANZAS NATIONAL MONUMENT August 22, FORT PULASKI NATIONAL MONUMENT CASTLE PINCKNEY NATIONAL MONUMENT FORT FREDERICA NATIONAL MONUMENT OCMULGEE NATIONAL MONUMENT FORT JEFFERSON NATIONAL MONUMENT Memorandum for the Director:

Reference is made to Mr. Ronald F. Lee's telegram of August 19, regarding the possible acquisition and joint use of the West Martello Tower at Key West since the ·war Deparbnent is opposed to full establishmmt as a national monwoont.

Both Martel lo Tower s at Key West were built by the Federals follo'Wing 1861 for defense of the South shore of the island 'Which v1as aocessl.ble to landing parties and which VTas not sufficiently covered by the def'.ense of Fort Taylor. The tov;er s were in no im­ portant engagements and sireply played a general part in helping the Union forces to retain K6'J West, one of the few points in the South held by the Federals throughout the course of the Civil War. It is doubtful whether they were ever completed· entirely er momited a full complement of guns.

The '\'fest Martello towers, unlike the East tower, is in _a fair .· state of preservatiOn. Tm brick -work is similar to that in Fort Taylor and Jefferson, an excellent example of early masonry. The first floor of the taHer has partly fallen but otherwise little con­ struction work needs. to be dona in malting the safe for the public.

As a fortification, East Martello tower seems mainly importe.nt because of its design 'Which is a carry-over from early fortifications (11th century) in Europe. As far as is knovm, the Martello ix>v1ers are not extant elsewhere in the United States. Interpretation of the fort may be very simple and handled by the use of interpretative signs and dioramas, calling attention to the origin, the type, purpose of fortification in Key West and its part in reduction of the Confederacy by aiding the Federals to hold Key West, thereby occupying a strategic position for blockading the gulf trade.

The most important reason for establishing the West Martello tower as a national monwnent seems to be its preservation and inter­ pretation vlhich could be done jointly by the Vfar Depar1:ment and Interior Department. In this regard, it is reconnnended that the Park -2-

Service assume full responsibility for the admirdstration, protection and maintenance of the fort vmile the War Department would retain the. right to. use the tmver during the summer training period of' the National Guard Coast , and in the event of' a national emer­ gency, would be permitted full use if' deemed necessary by the mili­ tary authorities. It seems that in modern warfare, the West tower would be of' little value since it is located in a position not so important as· the East Martello tower for range finding and fire con­ trol, the nost important use of' either of the tvro towers.

From the Park Service viewi)oint, the West Niartello tower will not play en important part other than its interpretative relation to Fort Jefferson. If declared a national monument, it vdll be necessary to maintain a caretaker or ranger there for its protection. The West tower is possibly two miles from the yacht basin. This is the only location to be considered for establishing a shore base for opera- tion·s at Fort Jefferson. It is recommended that steps be taken to contact the Navy Deparbnent and request the transfer of that portion. of' the navy yard outside of the present wire fence area which should include their.South pier, the entrance to the yacht basin and the old concrete gun emplacement facing the gulf.

This location may be used for the erection of a store room, employees• quarters, the radio station, ~will serve as the shore base for the park operator. At the present time, it is understood that this area has been leased to the YIPA. The acquisit~on of the shore base is or' greater importance than the acquisition of the Vfest :Martello taver.

The development of both areas could be undertaken by the establislunent of' a side camp from the Swnmerland CCC camp. During storm season, it is necessary for the enti re camp to be removed to Key ·West as a mat-ter of protection and it is bel:Bved that the proper solution would be to transfer the main camp to Key Vi'est and establish a side CaIIIp on Sunnnerland Key.

The entire program at Fort Jefferson will depend largely upon the establishment of' shore bases.

The recent Service request for a survey of' anticipated revenues for all areas of the National Park Service should be given full con- sideration in regard to the acquisition of' West N.Artello tower. If it were to be established as a national monument, an entrance fee of 10¢ should be charged to defray the cost of administration, protection and maintenance. -3-

The opening of the Overseas Highway has materially increased the number of visitors to Key West and it is believed that the charge of a nominal fee would cover the cost of its operation.

~~~Edward D. Freeland Coordin~ting Superintendent

CC: Inspector Vinten Region 1

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COPY WAR DEPARTMENT

September 19, 1939.

The Presidient,

The White House. Dear Mr. President: Reference is made to recent telephone conversation between Mr. Rowe and a representative of the War Department concerning the desir~ of the Administration that a compromise arrangement be worked out between the Interior Department and the War Depart­ ment, which would on one hand make the Martello Towers at Key West, Florida, available as a historic point of interest to vi­ sitors and on the other hand make them available to the War De­ partment for fire control purposes. These reservations, as you probably know, contain fire con­ trol installations essential to fire direction of the primary and secondary batteries included in the harbor defenses of Key West. As these installations are in both cases in the towers themselves, it is considered essential that full control and ex­ clusive jurisdiction thereover be retained by the Vfar Department.

I am advised that the West Martello Tower is in an advanced state of disintegration and pradtically a mass of ruins, as the .. major portion of this structure was torn down many years ago to ~ get brick for use in the more modern fortifications at Fort Taylor. Visitors are being admitted to this tower only under supervision to prevent the taking of photographs.

The Ea~t Martello Tower, however, is pr;.ctically intact and is undoubtedly a point of interest. This t<>Wer, less present fire control elements, is open to the public during daylight hours. A considerable amount of beautification work,·: grading, and filling has been done in order to make the tower and grollllds neat and at­ tractive to visitors. Plans have been made for the further re­ storation of this structure and for the compilation and posting of hilstorical data pertaining to it. As this tower is now open to visitors and is being maintained as a point of historic interest by the Army, it is believed no useful purpose would be served by any transfer of partial responsibility.

Tne National Park Service has informally advisecl that any cooperative arrangement which would permit them to supervise and assist in the restoration of the Ea.st ~artello Tower would be ac­ ceptable, and I have, accordingly, issued instructions which ~111 insure that local military authorities cooperate with the National Park Service, who have been authorized to supervise and assist in this restoration. It is hoped ·t:nat the foregoing arrangements will meet with your approval. Respectfully yours, (SGD) HARRY H WOODRING -~e cr'4 tary of Ware ~-ecret . . HEAlilQUARTERS ·BARBOR DEFENSES OF KEY WEST Office 0£ the Connnanding Officer Key West Barracks 600.2 Florida

October 13, 1939 · The Coordinating Superintendent lfotional Park Service Fort Marion St. Augustine, Florida.

Dear Sir:-

I hage been informed by the War Department that a restoration ana maintenance project at the East Martello Tower, Key West, which you have been authorized to supervise and assist in, is being considered.

No plans or description of tilis tower are available here; I am writing to the War Department, requesting aeything available there; have received some information from Colonel George E. Br6'wn, u. s. Engineer Superintendent, Miami Beach; and will endeavor to obtain any other information available locally.

Having some knowledge of, and experience in, this sort of work, the practicability of' a restoration project interested me very much on my arrival here about three years ego, but I vm.s deterred by the cost of the work and the necessity $0r concentrating all available energies and facilities on work or a military nature. A partial replacement of' brickwork was undertaken, using the best tl\>ricklayer" available on the W.P.A. rolls, with rather disconcerting results (this work should be tOrn out and done properly when skilled labor is avail­ able) • Subsequent operations here have been limited to improving the grounds and making the structure accessible, saf'e, and a point oi' interest for visit,ors.

A complete restoration., as I see it, would ~volve replacement of the second ttfioor" in the tower (brick and str&iturf?.l iron or steel), repair of the covered pas~age leading to tlie gallery, possibly the bricking up of the present entrance, construction oi' a bridge permitting access to the tower by the original entrance, and a considerable amount or fill at the sides and rear of the £Structure. Sanitary facilities, a cistern, and a small power plant should be provided.

The brick in the structure was made in New York State, and the greni te and flagstones came, tt understand, from New . A very limited amount or bric4: is available from the ruins of the West Martello Tower, but as military reasons forbid the razing of this structure, any additional brick required will have to be procured elsewhere. ...

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:~ . The me.n engaged on the restoration should be highly skilled; a W.P.A. project might take care of. the filling, grading, and unskilled labor requirements.

On a very rough estimate, a complete restoration would probably cost about $30,000.00; is it your understanding that aey cost over and above W.P.A. funds which may be made available is to be borne by the Depariment of the Interior .. by the War Depariment .. or jointly? I have no present information available on this point .. but am writing to the War Department· to find out, and to ascertai. n whether a complete restora­ . tion is desired.

It appears to me that the first thing that should be done is to send an expert on restoration vt0rk here, to make a detailed survey and ca:nple te cost estimates; I assume that you have such a. man available, and, if you concur, would be most appreciative if this could be arranged.

Subsequently, I v10uld be most happy to go over the project with you, on the ground if practicable, and will be glad to cooperate in the furthering of this project in any way possible.

Cordially and sincerely,

, / s/ J. D • Mac:Mullen I Lt. Col. 13th Coast Arty .• Comnanding . .

~!!l !!!!•t 111ato17. ~u.a RJloGJd't; ta1 ._. an4 U'08' Mart•:UO ~. 01...:u ~ ~ft-oatiom at KeV ;an, l.lol'ida. · .,...Qtl ,. ma4e '° the ,..,. 11. 19'0. le'tter ot a. ao1. ~• u. lla«AW.e to -~ ~1nMu.doat a. n. ~·laml., en• oloaln& ?>NJoot 4e.ta eniJ. roqwantng a ~in ot the ps.ooJocs ~ tor tbe ~no '1'A9re U1 !'.eJ' vle4t, l'J.onda.

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1rcm tbO b1~'8 viOllll»idt tt 1• bellevd. ~these to3*Utca\iaa,.. Whl.Qb. 3l"Q W.d \o bo of unlquo 4estgn 1n the 97ftt8 ·' ot U1ib 0Rtt47 u. e. cooatBl tol'CA, are ot sroa~ ~ u ~· ot m.u~ arohttoot1D'&~ end. their hiatorloal atptttcence wtU ~ tnoww wtth i» pa!l'JI. Tmwtoro it ta ~t to 1uUJ:e th&JJ.t ~ttoo., cmcl eo rv u t»Plbl• th• ~ion work abe"14 not aocU(')' theil! J>lAn or a~Mr•ee.o• Aay moUt1oat10ZJ.a ecmsta.%84 ·~ SMt1.d be be•4 \lpClt a4-q,""te 1d.aterioe.l ~ l,Qcj.001, ~and nattor eat._ e-tuil1tJs. _\ha.au 91.n'tol' ~ 4--.&t tt. GO a.>U•lmi !11011( ahou.Ul be .dc:ce witholl1i •rto• OOM.ldent1on ot tho prc~tu tn.ba.1eel ~~ metitf.oned ~. tn ~ oaao., MaBUL"Cld dra\.'flnsa w ~ptw 1114 be ma4ie w rffGft ~aJ.7 the eot1ons eubJd 1:0 4omo.11tlou. F'11t1twre• ~ 4~ in the l>iUD ot CJthetiu ~ ~ to l>e ot 1n~urt1.Mbl.9 value to let«r ~~et.ton ot the ~--

While a. Col. ~l• ha nt.4tm'l¥ 4one oon.eidaal>lo ro­ eo:uoll 111 1bo 11~ -~ these tol'titUatlone. CJ4 be.a ....1194 e eanoU8 an4 v.,- tnf~V4' 4istrlbution etie.t ~ '1l•m. it ta 8" U.U~ t hat tl d&te.U.etl, ~teit, COM~!.« d htat01V ot tba b\llldlJl48 Ms Me I>Nliltlt"ed. b~ Jlil'Ooed"8 OtU.le ~ oompllatioa ot the «i?USUuo.Uo.ae.1 hiatoirJ report eo the m!.nl.ndl& basla tor natoratla won. A& atatotl n'bOV'O • 1t Obould. be tollol\'a

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WASHINGTON ADDRESS ONLY THE DIRECTOR.• NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

July 12, 1940.

MEMORANDUM for the Acting Director. ~ The studies, blueprints and other data compiled by Lt. Col. J. D. MacMullen in connection with the restoration of the Martello Towers at Key West, transmitted by Acting Regional Director Roberts• memorandum or June 28 have been reviewed by the Branch of Plans and Design. The qualifications of Lt. Col. MacMullen for restoration work of' military nature are extraordinarily impressive. It is noted that he is a licensed architect, a member of the American Institute of Architects, has had training in classic archaeology and has a knowledge of military architecture. With apparent thoroughness he has studied the projected restoration over a period of three years. He recognizes two objectives in the undertaking - nto meet certain military requirements, and to restore·the structures to such an extent as to indicate the original purpose of the structures and to prevent further deterioration.n ·' The foregoing evidences to me that the restoration is in capable and sympathetic hands and I am willing to assume that the results to be expected will be as thorough a restoration as is consistent with the circumstance that the structures are, or are to ·be.made, elements of active fortifications, a "going concern", as Lt. Col. MacMullen aptly states it. The primacy of the claims of the current defense program can scarcely be denied. The climate is definitely unsuitable for proposing cooperation between this Service and the Army for authentic restoration, as was lately unhappily demonstrated at La Forteleza, Puerto Rico. However interesting the Martello Towers may be to students of military fortification, their historic and structural sig­ nificance is scarcely of primary rank, and I am reluctant to recommend that the Service inject itself into the restoration undertaking. • •

It is possible that by getting into a.position where it .qright be charged with obstructing the defense program on a project of secondary importance to it, the Sez:vice might injure its chances to influence later restorations of Army holdings of far more historical and archite ural importance. 5

Thos. C. Vint, Chief of Planning.

cc: Architectural Division