top of page
Keys History


August 26
1863 – One hundred sixty-five masons and laborers had recently arrived at Key West to work on the East and West Martello Towers, though some of the force was dispatched to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas for work there.

Florida Keys History Center
16 minutes ago2 min read


August 25
1945 – The Midget Bar, at the corner of Greene and Ann streets in Key West, featured music by the Melody Boys, Gibly and Tuba, and “the beautiful blonde singer” Van. Also on the evening’s bill was an eating exhibition by Jimmie, “the eatingist woman in South Florida.”

Florida Keys History Center
1 day ago1 min read


August 24
1945 – A contract was renewed for Fred Howland, Inc. to complete the construction of 155 low-cost Navy housing units at the end of White Street across from Rest Beach in Key West.

Florida Keys History Center
2 days ago2 min read


August 23
1940 – Mabel McKinney sold her Key Largo property fronting the highway and known as “Mabel’s Place” for $1500 to A.K. Gray of Miami.

Florida Keys History Center
3 days ago2 min read


August 22
1941 – Naval Station Key West was running low on water, as rain had been scant, and the cisterns were nearly dry. Two water tankers were brought from Miami to help fill demand, but rationing was likely if rain did not come.

Florida Keys History Center
4 days ago2 min read


August 21
1937 – The Public Works Administration announced that it had 600 men working on the new Overseas Highway, and the road would be open to the public by the start of the new year.

Florida Keys History Center
5 days ago2 min read


August 20
1985 – An early morning fire destroyed the Siboney Inn at the corner of Truman Avenue and Elizabeth Street in Key West, as well as an adjacent residence at 919 Elizabeth. Three firefighters were overcome by smoke while battling the large blaze.

Florida Keys History Center
6 days ago2 min read


August 19
1975 – Six hundred people were employed in manufacturing in Key West. A partial breakdown showed 23.7% in textile and clothing production; 21% in stone, clay, glass, and concrete products; 15.8% in printing and publishing; 8.3% in making durable goods; 3.5% in chemicals; and 3.2% in non-durable goods.

Monroe County Public Library
7 days ago2 min read


August 18
1945 – A fire engine first used by the Key West Fire Department’s Tiger Hose Company No.3 in 1917, was taken out of storage to be refurbished and returned to service. Fire Chief Leroy Torres said, “There is still a lot of good in old ‘Queen Mary,’” using the department’s nickname for the engine.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 172 min read


August 17
2010 – The Key West City Commission voted 5-2 to include a referendum on the November ballot asking voters whether the city should acquire the Glynn Archer school building for use as a City Hall.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 162 min read


August 16
1945 – Harold Colee, executive vice president of the Florida State Chamber of Commerce, presented a centennial plaque to William Curry & Sons of Key West. William Curry & Sons, founded in 1843, was one only three businesses in the state that have been in continuous operation for more than 100 years.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 152 min read


August 15
1952 – Key West Police Chief Bienvenido Perez claimed to be the last surviving man of the three who buried Elena Hoyos. Hoyos’ body had earlier been exhumed by an obsessed Karl Tanzler, who lived with her body for many years before being discovered. Perez said she was buried in an unmarked grave in the Key West Cemetery, and he would never reveal its location.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 142 min read


August 14
1933 – The wife, daughters, and grandchildren of recently deposed Cuban President Gerardo Machado arrived at Key West on the yacht Gen. Juan B. Zayas. Local officials offered them safe conduct, and a special train was arranged to take them northward.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 132 min read


August 13
1958 – The Civil Aeronautics Administration agreed to relinquish any federal claim to the ownership of the Marathon Airport if title was obtained by Monroe County. County commissioners ordered the process to begin.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 122 min read


August 12
1946 – After being re-tested, the waters of South Beach in Key West were declared safe and free of all disease germs. Staff from the Navy Hospital had issued a warning earlier in the week saying the beach was contaminated, unsafe for bathing, and off-limits to Navy personnel.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 112 min read


August 11
1968 – The Pier House Motel at Duval-On-the-Gulf opened for business. The 50-room motel was developed by Key Wester David Wolkowsky.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 102 min read


August 10
1962 – The House Appropriations Committee in Washington approved a $2,516,000 expenditure for a new bachelor officers’ quarters building to be located on the Trumbo Seaplane Base. The new facility would be centrally located and replace all existing BOQs on the base.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 92 min read


August 9
1950 – Thousands of fish were found in Key West streets after a heavy rain. One theory was that a large waterspout 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. One man even said he saw a full-grown sponge fall from the sky.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 82 min read


August 8
1951 – The Monroe County Commission assumed management of Monroe General Hospital, taking over from the board of trustees that had been running the facility. The change came after a long period of complaints about the quality of care at the hospital.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 72 min read


August 7
1956 – The Florida Keys Gas Company held an open house at its new headquarters building at the corner of Catherine and William streets in Key West. Mr. Lonnie Williams was the local manager of the operation.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 62 min read
News
bottom of page