Key West Memories: The Little White House and a Walk Along the Waterfront ~ March 6, 2017

March 6, 2017

Presidents have had "vacation retreats" for as long as I can remember (and longer, I am sure), and it has only been in these recent "angry man" times (although I'm sure that there are equal numbers of "angry women") that presidents have come under fire for taking some vacation time.  Politics aside, today we went to visit "The Little White House."  The house was built in 1890 and originally was right on the waterfront, where it served as the first officer's quarters on the submarine base naval station.  Constructed as a two-family house, it served as quarters for the base commandant as well as for the paymaster.  In 1911 it was converted to a single-family dwelling for just the commandant, and additional land was filled in front of the house blocking the waterfront view.

The first President to visit the house was William Howard Taft in 1912.  He travelled by Flagler's Overseas Railroad and then sailed to Panama to inspect the canal.  In November 1946 President Truman was physically exhausted after 19 grueling months in office.  His doctor recommended a vacation - someplace warm.  The head of the navy offered the base commander's house, which was vacant at the time, and Truman gratefully accepted.  He absolutely loved the house - although his wife, Bess, was not so fond of it and more often than not chose to stay home on Truman's many return trips.

In all, Truman spent 175 days of his presidency in the Little White House.  He would conduct business from his desk there and was surrounded by his advisors.  Mail packets would arrive several times a week containing White House business.  During the Truman visits, Cabinet members and foreign officials were regular visitors for fishing trips and poker games. Truman visited Key West shortly after his 1948 re-election and Division Street was renamed Truman Avenue in his honor.
  
Truman loved Key West and returned there many times after his presidency staying at a variety of places on the island.

Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Clinton all spent time at the Little White House over the years.  The house is owned by the state of Florida and locally controlled and maintained.  It is still open to heads of state (current or former) upon request, but they are not invited to sleep in the two Truman bedrooms.


It is a beautiful old home with lovely grounds.






After we left the museum we wandered the neighborhood and over to the waterfront.  I was captivated by more orchids and other plant life along the way.


We walked over to make arrangements for a Sunset Sail aboard the America 2.0, a replica of the sailboat that competed in the America's Cup.  We will do this cruise on Thursday night, when, hopefully, the wind will not be blowing quite so hard.



I loved this shot of two pelicans hanging out next to the ship!  They didn't seem to mind at all as I took their photo!

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