If you are in search of a historical get-a-way with a little
bit of mystery you might want to visit Fort East Martello in Key West Florida.
The old fort is located right next to the airport so you cannot miss it on
either your way in or your way out. It
is both educational and thought provoking. Families can enjoy teaching their
children about the history of the Civil War as well as the freakish nature of
the Chucky Doll. If this hasn’t scared them into your arms then you might want
to read some of the spooky letters of customers who did not believe!
During the civil war Fort East Martello was designed as
additional protection for the Key West Island. Construction began in 1862 but
was halted and eventually abandoned by the U.S. Army at the end of the Civil
War. Not a single battle was won or fought in the West Keys region throughout
the entire era of this conflict. It remained a place of teenage fun and
partying until the Historical Society adopted the fort in the 1950s. Through
both local and national donations they were able to clean up, restore and open
to the public a little piece of history and wonderment.
Within the museum visitors will see a variety of wooden art
pieces by Mario Sanchez and metal works by Stanley Papio. Displays also include
the history of the Island, WWI, WWII, The Spanish-American War, and the Cuban Missile
Crisis. Cannons still face the water as if to protect the fort from the
onslaught of present day skidoos, surfers, and wind sailors. The site also
hosts a gift shop with the local writings from Ernest Hemmingway, Key West history,
Ghost Stories and other historical tid bits.
Walking into the gallery one gets the sense that history is
not so far in the past. From the dust covered floors, the eerie walkways, and
the horse drawn hearse you become aware that this is a place of mystery. Among
the relics of the Union Army is the knowledge that two swaths of yellow fever
and a devastating hurricane slowed the construction of the fort. Carpenters changed
effort from building the military instillation to building coffins for solders
who suffocated under muggy hot weather. The
fort was never completed and became a lost cause.
The abandonment of the fort is part of the haunted legend of
the area. Some say that new exploding cannonballs made the fort useless as a
military instillation. Others indicated that the fevers, death and setbacks
were part of the haunted history of a project that ended in disaster. Whatever
the reason the fort was abandoned it is seen today as a remarkable piece of military
history and local historical legend.
One of the mystical stories of Fort Martello remains encapsulated
with Robert the Doll. As the legend states, a young Haitian girl made the straw
doll for Robert Otto. As a boy, Robert had a natural inclination for mischief
making and boyish trouble. When he was caught he would say, “Robert did it!” and
point to the doll. The saying was
adopted throughout the Key West area as a way of skirting responsibility. If there is no one to blame- it must have been
Robert!
Further legend indicates that Robert the Doll was made with Haitian
voodoo magic and can cause all types of havoc in people’s lives. This doll was
further characterized into the modern movie starring Chucky from Child’s Play that
has frightened an entire generation. The doll took on the personality of his
ill-tempered owner Robert Otto and spreads this evil spirit into other’s lives.
Before being relocated to the museum Robert Otto placed the
doll in the attic and forgot about it until his death. At such time neighbors began to recall an “evil
giggle”, followed by a rustling noise, coming from the attic. A few have even
witnessed the doll peering down from the window in the darkest hours of the
night. Today letters flood the museum, posted on its wall, asking Robert for forgiveness
as their lives and relationships have been ruined after failing to ask permission
to take his picture.
The battery and center tower are a great place to look out
over the bay. There is no wonder why the military chose this spot as an ideal
location to build an instillation to protect the local islands. Inside each of
the rooms are large fireplaces still blackened from the fires of the original military
inhabitants. Parts of the fort have crumbled away but have only succeeded in
improving its overall charm. It is worth the $7 admissions and the hour you
spend exploring the past.
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| Robert the Doll-The inspiration for Chucky in Child's Play |
I can’t remember if you were supposed to ask for permission
to TAKE the picture or LOOK at the picture? Oops…I guess I should have
mentioned that earlier.
3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd.
Key West, Florida 33040
1 (305) 296-3913
