It is located at 1 Whitehead Street and is marked by Historic Marker 52.

During the Great Depression, Key West turned over its charter to the federal government due to the economic disaster that hit the island.

The federal government believed that Key West's weather and location would make it an ideal tourist destination.

The Works Project Administration (WPA) was sent in and built the tourist attraction.

[2] The aquarium is home to exhibits on alligators, atlantic shore fish, jellyfish, sharks, sea turtles, and a touch tank.