Key West, Florida. 1938
Photo by Arthur Rothstein
In early 1938, Arthur Rothstein documented federal efforts to rescue Key West from economic collapse. A few decades earlier, Key West had been one of America’s richest cities, but a confluence of disastrous developments had bankrupted the community. Formerly thriving cigar factories had moved north to the mainland; the lucrative sponge harvest had collapsed; and a devastating 1935 hurricane killed hundreds and destroyed the rail line that had linked the Keys to the Florida mainland.
By early 1938, the federal government was orchestrating a successful revitalization of the island’s economy through a variety of employment, development, and promotional programs. Construction was nearing completion on the federally funded Overseas Highway that would replace the destroyed rail line. The federal rescue program promoted Key West as an attractive destination for deep-sea fishing, boating, and entertainment. As part of this effort the Federal Writers Project produced a 1941 volume of the American Guide Series dedicated to Key West. It includes numerous photographs from Arthur Rothstein’s 1938 visit.
No garage for the car, and you have to park on the circle and walk to your own house? That must suck on grocery store day. It looks neat, but no way do I want that lifestyle.
