Cigar History - El Gato Cigar Factory Key West

[HIM*]

I was in the old El Gato factory(ironically the building our state health department is in) a few days ago and thought other people might enjoy some of the history they keep around to honor its roots. This is the famed factory a young Fuente once worked in before establishing his own legacy.


Not sure how long these murals have been here but probably not since the buildings golden days....




Poster...




Old boxes...





What the building and neighborhood used to look like....

 

[CeeGarOne]

Those pics are awesome. Thanks for sharing.

 

[plumber1965]

Love seeing old pics and learning. Thanks for the pics

 

[atllogix]

I stopped by there while I was living in Key West, it is interesting.

@HIM* On a side note, it can be a long shot to find an actual botl member extremely close to you, how the hell did we not link up, KW is only 4 miles long so we were with in 4 miles of each other, unless you live on a different key. Any how, I'll be back down there one day to visit, if your still around maybe we can get together. Enjoy the Conch Life!

 

[HIM*]

I stopped by there while I was living in Key West, it is interesting.

@HIM* On a side note, it can be a long shot to find an actual botl member extremely close to you, how the hell did we not link up, KW is only 4 miles long so we were with in 4 miles of each other, unless you live on a different key. Any how, I'll be back down there one day to visit, if your still around maybe we can get together. Enjoy the Conch Life!

Ive come to learn this is the biggest tiny little damn island. Sometimes I won't see people for months and we can never figure out how its actually possible to not cross paths more often lol.

 

[havana1]

Very cool, brother! Thanks for sharing. Lots of cigar history in Key West.
Some of my all time favorite cigars came from Conch Republic Cigars that used to be located on Duval St.
It was a sad day when they closed their doors several years ago.

 

[Ga Gator]

Very cool I have been in the gato building a few times. I miss the keys terribly I lived on big pine from 1999 - 2008. I still have many friends down there as well as a home on big pine.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

That is awesome, thank you for sharing!