1956 – State Representative Bernie C. Papy announced that a contract had been let for the construction of catwalks along eight bridges on the Overseas Highway. The catwalks would get fishermen off the roadway and outside of the guard rails, eliminating a dangerous situation.

1956 – Monroe County Juvenile Court Judge Eva Warner Gibson called attention to an alarming increase in cases of juvenile delinquency. In an average year, she would sentence six to nine offenders to State industrial Schools. But in January and February of 1956, six had already been sentenced – a trend that could see 36 Monroe youth sent to State Schools.

1940 – Capt. Walter F. Jacobs, Commander of the Key West Naval Station, turned the first shovel full of dirt to begin construction of the new Naval Air Station at Trumbo Point. The Ivy H. Smith Company of Jacksonville would build the hangar and other structures.

1941 – A team of FBI agents raided the “Alice Reid House” at 1016 Howe Street in Key West and arrested Reid and her husband, a bartender, and an unnamed soldier on prostitution-related charges. The house was reputed to be a brothel, and a woman had been strangled there a month earlier.

1976 – A committee of 15 gathered for the organizational meeting of Key West’s upcoming Bicentennial celebration, a three-day birthday party for the nation they termed the “Big Bang.” Planned events included a big fireworks display, a “super” parade, and various contests and tournaments.

1953 – Miss Etta Patterson’s coconut cake recipe, long a Key West favorite, was published across the nation in “This Week Magazine” in a feature written by food editor Clementine Paddleford.

1936 – The Monroe County Commission moved to negotiate with the Florida East Coast Railway Company towards acquiring the railroad’s right-of-way through the Florida Keys. If successful, the County would then use the railroad’s right-of-way and bridges for the Overseas Highway.

1976 – Windsor Village Condominiums, a one-acre tract with 11 houses and fronted by Windsor Lane, was established as a Key West literary compound. Writers John Hersey, Ralph Ellison, John Ciardi, and Richard Wilbur made the first purchases.

1976 – Huddle Pontiac Buick of Key West became an authorized dealer of the electric Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar. The two-passenger vehicle had a 38-mph cruising speed and a maximum range of 50 miles, with a base price of $2,738.

1961 – The Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Key West officially organized as a congregation of the United Lutheran Church. The congregation had 70 adults and 46 children.

1874 – Vice-President Francisco Vicente Aguilera and Secretary Hilario Cisneros of the Cuban Republic-in arms visited Key West to foster support for Cuba’s independence from Spain. They spoke at the San Carlos Institute, and a torchlight procession through the streets was held in their honor.

1946 – The Walter R. Mickens Post No. 6021 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, under commander Alphonso Dean, received its charter.

1946 – Two hundred eighty automobiles were inspected by Key West City Mechanic Horace Averette, who tested their brakes, horns, and lights as mandated by city ordinance. 

These are books from our collection our library staff loved - and hope you will, too.

2006 – Prompted by blows from Hurricane Wilma and changing Medicare rules, the owners of Dennis Pharmacy at 1229 Simonton St. in Key West announced they were leasing the building to Marine Bank. The pharmacy would be consolidated with another branch, but the business’ popular diner needed a new home.

1963 – Rear Admiral Rhodam Y. McElroy, Commander of Key West Forces, was presented the Legion of Merit for his meritorious performance of duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1956 – The American Salvage Co. of New York was bringing up twisted steel remains and a cargo of ore from the freighter SS Edward Luckenbach, sunk just north of Key West. The 456-foot Luckenbach sank in 1942, when it inadvertently steamed into a WWII minefield.

1962 – Astronaut John Glenn left Key West to join President Kennedy at Palm Beach. Glenn had spent a quiet weekend with his family at the Key West Naval Base so he could rest and undergo medical evaluation after his successful orbit around earth. Glenn was the first American to make such a flight.

1986 – The Old Island Restoration Commission approved the moving of a house at 411 Whitehead Street to 709 Thomas Street, so the parking lot of the La Concha Hotel could be expanded as part of the dormant hotel’s renovation before reopening.

1937 – Construction of the José Martí Monument in Bayview Park began when Raoul A. Pizer y Pollo, representing the government of Cuba, presented the structure’s cornerstone to Key West Mayor Harry C. Galey.