The Armory is a historic site in

Key West, Florida Key West ( es, Cayo Hueso) is an island in the Straits of Florida, within the U.S. state of Florida. Together with all or parts of the separate islands of Sigsbee Park, Dredgers Key, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and the northern part of Stock Isla ...

, United States. It is located at 600 White Street. In 1971, it was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places. The armory was built to support military training and readiness of local military reserves. In 1877, the "Key West Rifles", a voluntary military company, organized with 80 members. It was not very professional, and after the fire of 1886 destroyed all of its equipment, it ceased to exist. In 1888, a 32-member company named the "Island City Guards" was organized, which would eventually become Company 1, Second Regiment of Infantry, Florida State Troops. It is now part of the National Guard. (Excerpt from "Key West: The Old and the New" (1912) by Jefferson B. Browne) Land for an armory was purchased by

Monroe County Monroe County may refer to seventeen counties in the United States, all named for James Monroe: * Monroe County, Alabama *Monroe County, Arkansas * Monroe County, Florida * Monroe County, Georgia *Monroe County, Illinois *Monroe County, Indian ...

in 1901. The armory was designed by T. F. Russell and built in 1901 by John T. Sawyer. In 1903, upon a ruling by the Florida Supreme Court, the state of Florida refunded the cost to the county and took ownership. With . In 2006, it became the home and initial campus of

The Studios of Key West The Studios of Key West is a center for the arts in Key West, an island community at the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys. Established in 2006 as a nonprofit cultural organization, The Studios works to promote multidisciplinary arts, to prov ...

, a new artist community offering creative space, professional workshops, and other creative and cultural activities. After

moved to their new headquarters, at 533 Eaton Street, in 2015, The Armory eventually became home to 12 artist studios. 'Artists at the Armory' are located on the second floor. The main hall is available for lease and is often used as a rehearsal space by local theater companies or as an exhibition space. Th
Historic Florida Keys Foundation
(HFKF) leases the Armory from the State of Florida. The HFKF manages the Armory and oversees its maintenance. The Armory received a Historic Florida Keys Foundation Preservation Award in 2008.

References and external links

Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs
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Monroe County listings
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The Armory
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The Studios of Key West
Armories on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida Buildings and structures in Key West, Florida Landmarks in Key West, Florida History of Key West, Florida National Register of Historic Places in Key West, Florida Buildings and structures completed in 1901 1901 establishments in Florida {{MonroeCountyFL-NRHP-stub