Thompson Fish House, Turtle Cannery and Kraals

The Thompson Fish House is a building complex on Margaret Street that originally served in 1918 as a processing facility for sea turtles. The main structure stands beside specialized holding pens called kraals, where the animals were kept before processing.

The site emerged during the peak of Key West's turtle industry, when the city was the main producer of processed sea creatures. The facilities show how this economic activity shaped local development for decades.

The building shows how Key West residents built their economy around the ocean and its resources. The exhibits tell stories of the craftspeople and workers who made their living here.

The site is easily accessible in downtown and can be visited most weekdays with no admission fee required. Visitors should check current opening hours in advance and wear sturdy shoes, as the grounds are partly uneven.

The kraals were specially constructed pens that allowed hundreds of live turtles to be stored until processing time. This design was crucial to the industry and made Key West an economic center for this business.

Location: Key West

GPS coordinates: 24.56167,-81.80111

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:40