The concept for the Key West Aquarium was championed by local leaders who recognized that the island’s natural environment — particularly its coral reefs and marine biodiversity — could serve as both an educational and tourist attraction. It was envisioned not merely as a facility for entertainment, but as a place that would showcase the wonders of the sea to a public largely unfamiliar with marine science.
Construction began in 1933 under the direction of the WPA. The site chosen for the aquarium was Mallory Square, located near the heart of Key West’s historic waterfront. The area had long served as a bustling port for ships, fishermen, and traders. The aquarium’s design was groundbreaking for its time: it was to be an open-air facility, using natural seawater pumped directly from Key West Harbor into the tanks. This concept was unique — unlike many aquariums of the era that relied on artificial saltwater systems, the Key West Aquarium was literally connected to the ocean itself.
The building process provided much-needed employment for local workers, stonemasons, and craftsmen. It also symbolized a new direction for Key West, which by then had declared bankruptcy and been placed under the control of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). The aquarium project was part of a broader plan to reinvent Key West as a tourist destination, capitalizing on its tropical charm and maritime heritage.
After nearly two years of construction, the Key West Aquarium officially opened its doors in 1935. The grand opening attracted local residents, dignitaries, and tourists eager to see what was hailed as the “first open-air aquarium in the United States.” It featured a series of large concrete tanks arranged around a central courtyard, where visitors could view marine life under natural sunlight. The facility’s architecture — a combination of functional design and Art Deco elements typical of WPA-era projects — reflected the optimism of the age, even in the midst of economic hardship. shutdown123