The Key Outpost Archive 

The first issue of The Key Outpost (Key West, FL) was published in July of 1952 by the "US Naval Activities in Key West, Fla." It was often printed as part of the Key West citizen or included as a supplement in this paper, likely because the Artman Press Company published both papers.

The Outpost was known to be "the southernmost service newspaper in the U.S.A." and was a member of the Armed Forces Press Service. It was printed weekly at the Artman Press "at no cost to the government with monies from the Naval Base Recreation Funds, in conformance with the provisions of Appendix B of Nav Exos P-35 Rev, Nov 1945."

It included a list of names of officers stationed at the Key West Naval Air Station who reported, edited, and advised the publication. The paper mainly reported on military events of the time and included many reoccurring columns, such as "Vet Views" which reported on affairs related to the Veterans Administration, "Marine Memos" which included information on the armed forces athletic programs and other social events, and the "Launchings" column which published birth announcements, tallied how many births were boys and girls, and included names of the parents and their armed forces affiliation.

The Naval Base in Key West has served as a prominent base during times of war. Established in 1823, the base's primary purpose initially was stopping piracy in the area. In 1845, the base was expanded, with the construction of Fort Zachary Taylor during the Mexican-American War. It also served as the port from which the USS Maine departed on its voyage to Cuba during the Spanish-American War. After the sinking of the Maine, the entire US Atlantic Fleet was stationed in Key West for the duration of the war.

In 1917, during World War I, the base expanded again to include a US naval submarine base, with the mission of supplying oil to the US fleet. Due to its location, it was considered an ideal base to conduct year-round trainings for seaplanes, submarines, and blimps.

The base was decommissioned after World War I, and many of the facilities were destroyed; however, it remained government property. The base was inactive until 1940 when it was designated the Naval Air Station Key West and operated as a training base. Just prior to the US entering World War II, the base reopened and was used to support war efforts. During the war, Naval Station Key West acquired Boca Chica from Monroe County and used it for Army aircrafts. The Navy also established a Sonar School at the base, and by the end of the war Key West served as home base for submarines, destroyers, and aircraft squadrons.