Key West Aquarium

The Aquarium took two years to complete and opened to the public on February 18, 1935. At that time admission was 15 cents for adults and 5 cents for children. The Key West Aquarium was the first aquarium to use an “open air concept”. This allowed for natural sunlight to illuminate the concrete marine displays. Dr. Van Deusen outlined the future of the Aquarium in his speech on it’s opening day. He stated that it was a valuable institution to biologists and students from all around the world in the hope that it would draw thousands of people annually to Key West. One of the purposes for the Key West Aquarium was to be a clearing market for other aquariums around the country. Only seven months after opening, Labor Day of 1935, a hurricane struck the middle keys and destroyed the Overseas Railroad and any hope for the Key West Attraction’s success along with it. At the time the Overseas Extension to the Florida East Coast Railroad was the only way to reach Key West besides by boat. One of the purposes for the Key West Aquarium was to be a clearing market for other aquariums around the country. Only seven months after opening, Labor Day of 1935, a hurricane struck the middle keys and destroyed the Overseas Railroad and any hope for the Key West Attraction’s success along with it. At the time the Overseas Extension to the Florida East Coast Railroad was the only way to reach Key West besides by boat. Today the Aquarium stands as one of the top Key West Florida Attractions and is home to sharks, turtles, stingrays, tropical and other various fish found in the beautiful waters of Key West. It is actively involved in conservation of the delicate eco-system of the Florida Keys.