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History of the Key West Cigar Industry

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The History of the Key West Cigar Industry and the Beautiful Art of the Cigar Labels

The Southernmost city of the United States and tropical paradise, Key West, Florida, has a varied and fascinating history. Part of the heritage of Key West comes from the Cuban immigrants that populated the town. Many of them brought with them the talents of hand rolling cigars and set up small shops to large factories to produce them. This article will review the history of the Key West cigar industry and the beautiful art of the cigar labels.

Even if you are not a smoker or a fan of cigars, the history and art is fascinating.

(Photo courtesy of the DeWolfe and Wood Collection from Florida Keys-Public Libraries photostream. Key West Cigars, Cuban Make, cigar box label design copyright 1898 by Schmidt & Company, New York.)

History of the Key West Cigar Industry

From Cuba to Key West to Ybor City

Although the first cigar factory in Key West was actually started by Englishman William Wall in 1831, it was the influx of Cuban immigrants after the Cuban Independence War of 1868 and revolt against Spain that started the boom that led to Key West becoming the cigar capital of the world.

Vincente Ybor started a cigar factory in Key West in 1869. By 1880, Key West was considered the cigar capital of the world, shipping over 62 million cigars annually. By 1885, there were reportedly 86 cigar factories, some with hundreds of workers.

The tobacco leaves were imported from Cuba and hand rolled in Key West. The process cut the cost of Cuban cigars by about one third as the tobacco leaf was not taxed as were finished cigars. The "Clear Havanas" got their name from the fact that they were not taxed.

In 1885, major union strikes caused Vincente Ybor and other producers to move their operations to Tampa. A fire that swept through Key West in 1886 left only one manufacturer standing. Although the number of factories grew to 130 by 1890, by 1900 only 44 remained. Many companies rebuilt only to be decimated by hurricanes in 1909 and again in 1910. By the early 1900s, Tampa took over as the cigar capital of the world.

Then the cigar industry started making machine made cigars that could be sold for a nickel, and the Great Depression hit. The expensive Cuban cigar couldn't compete. The heyday was over.

In 1960, President Kennedy imposed an economic embargo on trade with Cuba, and Cuban cigars became illegal to purchase by Americans.

In 1963, The Original Key West Cigar Factory was opened by Eleanor Walsh in Pirate's Alley. The company flourished until 2002 when it was devastated by fire. In 2006, two cigar enthusiasts, Dave Uhlman and Stan Hirschman, arranged to buy the equipment and left over inventory and reopened the company.

(Photo courtesy of the Florida Memory Project, State Archives of Florida. Rex Shaw hand rolling cigars at his store on Fleming Street in Key West.)

Photos of Some of the Key West Cigar Factories and Workers

Havana-American Cigar factory, Key West. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida

Havana-American Cigar factory, Key West. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida

Havana-American Cigar factory, Key West. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida
Estela cigar store - Key West, Florida, 1940, Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida
Havana Cigar Shop, Key West. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida
Martinez Havana Cigar Factory, Key West. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida
Employees working at the Key West Cigar Factory. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida
Key West Cigar Factory employees working. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida
Old woman in the Key West cigar factory. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida
Rex of Key West cigar manufacturing company building at the corner of Fleming and Margaret streets. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida
Talmaege Culmer hand rolling cigars at the Original Key West Cigar Factory in Pirate's Alley. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida. Mr. Culmer was the last of the orginal cigar makers.

The Beautiful Art of the Key West Cigar Labels

International Key West cigar box label. From the DeWolfe and Wood Collection, Courtesy of Florida Keys - Public Libraries

International Key West cigar box label. From the DeWolfe and Wood Collection, Courtesy of Florida Keys - Public Libraries

International Key West cigar box label. From the DeWolfe and Wood Collection, Courtesy of Florida Keys - Public Libraries
Key West cigar box label (The drawing of Key West is reversed). From the DeWolfe and Wood Collection courtesy of Florida Keys-Public libraries
La Flor de Key West cigar box label. From the DeWolfe and Wood Collection, courtesy of Florida Keys-Pubilc Libraries
La Flora de Luis Martinez cigar box label. From the DeWolfe and Wood Collection, courtesy of Florida Keys-Public Libraries
Magnifico de Key West cigar box label. From the DeWolfe and Wood Collection, courtesy of Florida Keys-Public Libraries
Rosa de Key West cigar box label. From the Dewolfe and Wood collection, courtesy of Florida Keys-Public Libraries
Key West cigar label courtesy of Bill "Tiny" Pearson's collection. This label is 100 years old. The subject of women smoking cigars that far back is fascinating.
Key West cigar label courtesy of Bill "Tiny" Pearson's collection.
Key West La Rosa cigar label courtesy of Bill "Tiny" Pearson's collection.
Key West International cigar label courtesy of Bill "Tiny" Pearson's collection.

Our Standard Key West Brand Cigar Box Label

Our Standard Key West Brand Cigar Box Label



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Books about Cigar Label Art

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Websites about Key West cigars and history

HISTORY OF KEY WEST By Jerry Wilkinson
Nice summary of the history of Key West, including a section on the cigar industry.
The Long and Rich History of the Original Key West Cigar Factory
Article on the history of the Original Key West Cigar Factory
Cigar Walkin' in Old Key West
A traveloque of cigar shops in Key West
A Key to History by Ann Boese
Wonderful article on the cigar history in Key West, the Cayo Hueso y Habana museum, and attempts being made to preserve that history.
Cigar
Wikipedia article on cigars and cigar making
Key West Cigar Box Labels
Nice blog on Key West cigar box labels with illustrations.
Florida Cigars: Artistry, Labor, and Politics in Florida's Oldest Industry
The Florida Memory Project's article on Florida cigar history.

Hand rolling cigars

How to Hand Roll Cigars & Smoking Tips : How to Wrap the Hand Rolled Cigar
by expertvillage | video info

37 ratings | 36,791 views
curated content from YouTube

Key West Perfectos Brand Cigar Inner Box Label

Key West Perfectos Brand Cigar Inner Box Label



Key West...

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Books on Cigars

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It's illegal for American citizens to purchase Cuban cigars

Back in 1960, President Kennedy imposed economic sanctions against Cuba which included making it illegal for Americans to purchase Cuban cigars. You can read the history of this embargo at these sites.
Cuban Cigars - Why Cuban Cigars Are Illegal in the U.S.
Details the history of the embargo.
United States embargo against Cuba
Wikipedia article about the Cuban Democracy Act.
Cuban cigar prices may double when US Embargo is lifted
2008 article speculating on the lifting of the ban.

Key West Superiores Brand Cigar Box Label

Key West Superiores Brand Cigar Box Label



Key West...

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Key West cigar items on ebay

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Key West Brand Cigar Box Label, Christopher Columbus

Key West Brand Cigar Box Label, Christopher Columbus



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Cigars and related items

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Bill "Tiny" Pearson, a Key West native and old high school friend of mine graciously allowed me to use some of his photos of cigar labels from his collection. He also collects old coins from Spanish galleons, mainly the Atocha. Visit his website for more fascinating information on the coins and history of the Atocha.

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To see all my articles about Key West as well as other information on the island, please visit my article, All About Key West.

Would love to hear your comments on my article on the cigar industry in Key West

  • Kimbesa May 19, 2012 @ 11:51 pm | delete
    This is awesome...thanks! Love this kind of local history stuff. I've only been to Key West once, but I'd love to go back!
  • getmoreinfo May 19, 2012 @ 2:07 pm | delete
    It is an interesting history about the cigar and my favorite are the collectible cigar boxes, I know of a few cigar bars that people like to go to and lounge at. It is pretty popular social activity.
  • WorldVisionary3 May 19, 2012 @ 11:12 am | delete
    Very interesting information! Thanks for creating this unique lens.
  • scarlettohairy Apr 8, 2012 @ 2:21 am | delete
    I love the art! Gorgeous!!
  • KellydeBorda Apr 7, 2012 @ 11:29 pm | delete
    This is a beautiful lens - the old cigar boxes were lovely. My grandfather ran a bar up on the east coast of Florida, and sold cigars there; he would save all the pretty boxes and bring them home for me to play with. If only I'd known enough to save them, unfortunately most of them ended up as Barbie furniture!
  • boutiqueshops Apr 7, 2012 @ 11:23 pm | delete
    I absolutely love history and you've done a wonderful job on the story of the cigar industry's history in Key West. Blessed, pinned and shared!
  • survivoryea Feb 14, 2012 @ 7:49 pm | delete
    Interesting! Would love to get to Key West someday!
  • AlleyCatLane Feb 14, 2012 @ 7:58 pm | delete
    Hope you do. Thanks for the thumb's up.
  • joycetmann Jan 29, 2012 @ 6:06 pm | delete
    Fascinating, though I am not a smoker. I would love to visit Key West.
  • AlleyCatLane Jan 29, 2012 @ 6:47 pm | delete
    Thanks for stopping by and leaving a thumb's up. Hope you make it to Key West some day.
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A little about the author

I became a Giant Squid at the Super Level (25 articles) as well as a SquidAngel in October, 2011. In February, 2012, I made Monster Squid (at least 50 quality lenses). I also am an Amazon and Allposters affiliate.

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Some of my other articles you may enjoy

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Index

Click on any item and jump back to that section in the article

  1. History of the Key West Cigar Industry
  2. Photos of Some of the Key West Cigar Factories and Workers
  3. The Beautiful Art of the Key West Cigar Labels
  4. Our Standard Key West Brand Cigar Box Label
  5. Books about Cigar Label Art
  6. Websites about Key West cigars and history
  7. Hand rolling cigars
  8. Key West Perfectos Brand Cigar Inner Box Label
  9. Books on Cigars
  11. It's illegal for American citizens to purchase Cuban cigars
  12. Key West Superiores Brand Cigar Box Label
  13. Key West cigar items on ebay
  14. Do you smoke cigars?
  15. Cigars and related items
  18. Wow! This article received SquidAngel Blessings!
  20. If you enjoyed this article on the history of the Key West cigar industry, please leave us a thumb's up
  22. Would love to hear your comments on my article on the cigar industry in Key West
  23. A little about the author
  24. Some of my other articles you may enjoy

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AlleyCatLane

My hometown of Key West, Florida, has so many fascinating stories to tell. I decided to write an article on the history of the Key West Cigar Industry... more »

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