1961 – After word spread that the La Concha Hotel building had been donated to the Catholic Church by owner Ed Ball for use as a home for the aged, Key Westers were trying to figure out ways to keep it a “going concern.” Ideas included purchase by the city of Key West for a city hall or for local businessmen to use it as a commercial center.

1900 – Several thousand Key Westers watched a quarter-mile race at Barracks Beach between the horses Laconda and Levin. Laconda won by a length. The bet was $1000 per side, and much money passed hands outside of the official stakes.

1904 – The new St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Division Street (now Truman Avenue) in Key West was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. W.J. Kenny, D.D., Bishop of St. Augustine. Solemn high mass was led by Reverend Father A.B. Friend, and music for the event was provided by Ayala’s orchestra, accompanied by the grand organ.

1917 – John Lowe Jr. died in Key West at the age of 84. He came to the island from the Bahamas when he was 15 years old and worked for William Curry. He later started his own business and became the island’s leading sponge dealer. His home at 620 Southard Street is one of the architectural treasures of Key West.

1954 – Dr. Enrique Rodriguez, an 87-year-old retired physician who had practiced medicine in Key West for 55 years, estimated he had delivered almost 10,000 babies in the city. At one time he was the island’s only delivery doctor.

The Library has added books for kids and teens to its popular Book Club In A Bag collection.

1927 – Two men, one from Bulgaria and one from Yugoslavia, were pulled from a fish oil tanker car carried on a ferry from Havana to Key West. The men were barely alive and covered in oily slime after having stowed away in the airtight tank for 12 hours.

1941 – Lt. Albert Fay, Navy Public Works Officer, announced that construction contracts had been let to two Miami firms for the construction of a new Navy hospital at the site of the former biological research station on the eastern end of Key West, adjacent to the Casa Roma.

1978 – David Wolkowsky bought the Kress Building at 500 Duval Street in Key West from Norman Artman for $210,000.

1988 – Pritam Singh held a ground-breaking ceremony to begin construction on the ambitious redevelopment of Truman Annex in Key West.

1961 – Steel support beams, each 40 feet long and weighing 6,000 pounds, were placed atop the new Scottish Rite Temple at Eaton and Simonton streets in Key West to allow for another floor for the building.

A Monroe County Public Library card offers many ways to improve your life - without emptying your wallet.

1923 – Monroe County commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of a $300,000 bond issue as a first step toward construction of a proposed “Overseas Highway” to run from the mainland to Key West.

1934 – Florida Governor Dave Sholtz arrived in Key West for his annual inspection of the Florida National Guard, which was in camp for two weeks of training at Fort Taylor.

1964 – Bernie C. Papy, 62-year-old Key West political leader, died. He had served 14 consecutive terms in the state legislature before at last being defeated in 1962. Papy was a powerful and influential Monroe County politician, and at the height of his career was called “King of the Keys.”

1950 – Thousands of fish were found in Key West streets after a heavy rain, with most along Caroline Street between William and Grinnell. One theory was that a large waterspout had carried the fish ashore, an idea supported by the fact that most of the fish were mullet which swim on the surface. Others insisted it had rained fish, and one man said he saw a full-grown sponge fall from the sky.

1998 – The USCGC Keeper-class cutter Joshua Appleby (WLM 556) was launched. It was named for the keeper of the Sand Key Lighthouse who was killed by the hurricane of October 11, 1846.

1909 – The Key West Elks hosted a turtle supper at their Duval Street clubhouse. Guests were C.L. Meyer, manager of the P. & O. Steamship Company, and a Mr. Ullman from the community of Planter on Key Largo.

1926 – Boy Scout Troop No.1 of Key West was encamped at Pigeon Key. “There is some of the best fishing and swimming in the world to be had two hundred feet from camp. The boys say that this is the best time they have ever had,” wrote scoutmaster Charles Sands.

Even during the hottest days, we have lots of chilling reads. Check out our collection, on the shelves and online.