Marine Barracks, Key West, FL

Marine Barracks, Key West, FL, was established in 1823 to provide security for the newly created naval station and to help suppress piracy in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The Marines stationed at Key West played a vital role in protecting American interests and maintaining order in the region during the 19th century, especially during the Seminole Wars and the Civil War. Throughout its active years, the barracks served as a base for Marine detachments supporting naval operations and coastal defense. The installation was eventually deactivated as military priorities shifted, but its legacy remains part of the rich military history of Key West and the U.S. Marine Corps.