Just 90 miles separate Key West from Havana — close enough that, for much of the island’s history, what happened in Cuba happened to Key West, too. Never was that truer than in 1898, when a single catastrophe in Havana Harbor pulled the nation into war and made this small island its forward edge. The story of the USS Maine is usually told as national history. But a great deal of it unfolded right here, and you can still trace it on foot today.
The Night That Changed History
On the evening of February 15, 1898, the battleship USS Maine — then among the most powerful ships in the U.S. fleet — was at anchor in Havana Harbor when a sudden explosion tore through her hull. More than 260 sailors lost their lives, nearly half the crew. The cause was disputed for decades, but the effect was immediate: the newspaper rallying cry “Remember the Maine!” swept the country and gave President McKinley the momentum to declare war on Spain. The short, consequential Spanish-American War followed, and the United States stepped onto the world stage.
Key West: The Nearest Port
When disaster struck, there was only one logical place to bring the dead and the injured: Key West, the Maine’s last North American port of call and the closest U.S. Navy base to Cuba. Survivors were treated here, and the island — already a busy naval town anchored by Fort Taylor — became the staging ground for the war that followed. For a few pivotal months, this two-by-four-mile island sat at the center of American history.
The Inquiry at the Custom House
Some of the most consequential work happened inside one building you can still visit. The formal U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry into the sinking of the Maine convened at the Key West Custom House — the grand red-brick landmark near Mallory Square that today houses the Key West Museum of Art & History. Standing in front of it, it is striking to think that the early reckoning over an event that reshaped the nation took place behind those walls.
A Memorial the Island Chose to Keep
About two dozen of the Maine’s sailors were laid to rest in the historic Key West Cemetery, many of them unidentified, beneath a bronze statue of a sailor. There is a quietly moving footnote to their story: when the Navy later planned to move the remains to the mainland, Key West residents petitioned to let them stay — and the Navy agreed. More than a century on, the fenced memorial plot remains a dignified place to pause and pay respects, a reminder of an island that decided these sailors were its own.
Featured Stays: History on Your Doorstep
To walk this history is to stay in the heart of Old Town — and two of our homes put you right in it.
Villa Josine (4BR/4.5BA, sleeps 8) — a beautifully restored example of a Key West “eyebrow house,” an 1800s style built to keep the upstairs cool long before air conditioning. Fully renovated with designer finishes, it offers four ensuite bedrooms, a quartz-and-Dade-County-pine kitchen, and a private pool framed by a wall of glass doors. Best of all for this story, it sits on Elizabeth Street just a few steps from the historic Key West Cemetery and two blocks from Duval. (Not pet-friendly.) Ideal for: Extended families or groups of up to eight who want a private pool and a true historic home, steps from the cemetery memorial and Duval Street.
Reel Paradise (3BR/2.5BA, sleeps 5) — a private townhouse tucked inside a small gated community in the Historic District, with a shared pool and tropical gardens, a Trex-covered front porch made for afternoon cocktails, a full kitchen, and on-site parking. It is a calm, secure home base for a family or small group exploring the island’s history on foot or by bike. Ideal for: A family or small group seeking a quiet, gated retreat with a shared pool, an easy walk or ride from Old Town’s landmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the USS Maine, and what happened to it? The USS Maine was a U.S. battleship that exploded and sank in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, killing more than 260 sailors. The disaster, and the cry “Remember the Maine!”, helped spark the Spanish-American War.
What is the Key West connection to the Maine? Key West was the closest U.S. Navy base to Cuba, just 90 miles away. The dead and injured were brought here, the formal Naval inquiry was held at the Key West Custom House, and about two dozen sailors are buried in the Key West Cemetery beneath a bronze memorial.
Can I see Maine sites in Key West today? Yes. The Custom House near Mallory Square is now the Key West Museum of Art & History, and the USS Maine memorial plot in the Key West Cemetery is open to respectful visitors.
Stay Where History Lives
From the Cable Hut’s telephone line to Havana to the Maine’s last anchorage, Key West’s story has always been tied to the sea and to the island 90 miles south. Staying here with a local host means having someone who knows where that history hides in plain sight. Historic Key West Vacation Rentals is locally owned and locally managed, with a curated collection of homes across Old Town, Truman Annex, and the Historic Seaport. When you are ready to explore, book direct and save with the team that calls this island home.