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Vol. 23 - The 1823 Survey of Key West, Florida, by Captain Daniel T. Patterson, USN
A U.S. Navy officer's survey, assessment and weather records from Key West in 1823 provide some of the earliest accounts of the island.

Florida Keys History Center
May 2612 min read


Vol. 22 - An Unknown Artist’s Florida Keys Diary, 1851
A diary from 1851 offers vivid descriptions and sketches from Key West at that time.

Florida Keys History Center
Jun 3, 202514 min read


Vol. 21 - A Brief History of Key West's Clinton Place
A new renovation is restoring prominence to one of Key West's oldest public spaces.

Florida Keys History Center
Feb 19, 202510 min read


Vol. 20 - ‘Among His Most Pleasant Recollections’: Ulysses S. Grant’s Visit to Key West, 1880
On January 21, 1880, Ulysses S. Grant became the first U.S. President to visit Key West.

Florida Keys History Center
Jan 17, 20258 min read


Vol. 19 – A Description of Key West on Christmas Eve, 1873
A New York Times reporter wrote a vivid description of the Key West in 1873.

Florida Keys History Center
Dec 6, 20248 min read


Vol. 18 – ‘From Some Imaginary Cause’: The Rampage of Irish Canal Workers at Key West in 1831
In November 1831, a ship carrying 230 Irish laborers to New Orleans ran aground. The passengers rose up and caused havoc in Key West.

Florida Keys History Center
Nov 8, 20247 min read


Vol. 17 – Repeaters at Key West: Alleged Voter Fraud in the 1880 Presidential Race
In 1880, Key West was briefly at the center of an alleged election fraud scandal in the Presidential election.

Florida Keys History Center
Oct 23, 20249 min read


Vol. 16 – A Break From Beatlemania: The Beatles At Key West, 1964
In 1964, a hurricane led the Beatles to make an impromptu stop in Key West.

Florida Keys History Center
Sep 9, 202418 min read


Vol. 15 – Lifting a Locomotive: The Remarkable Salvage of the Brig Cimbrus,
The first locomotive to reach Key West was actually in 1853 - after it was salvaged from a shipwreck.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 14, 20247 min read


Vol. 14: Stranded at Sand Key: The Banishment of the Passengers of the Steamship Philadelphia in 1852
Passengers on a ship struck with cholera in 1852 were refused refuge in Key West and instead banished to desolate Sand Key.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 2, 20248 min read
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