People dressed up as plants on a parade float. 1852 – Key Wester James C. Clapp opened a hotel called The Ocean House at the corner of...

1908 – Mr. C.C. Allen, Socialist candidate for Congress, arrived in Key West for two days of campaigning. He spoke to large crowds about...

1888 – Benjamin B. Baker, master wrecker and pioneer pineapple planter on the Keys, died at his home on Key Largo. 1918 – France’s...

1864 – A military order arrived for Key West and the Dry Tortugas: All prisoners held for desertion were dismissed from public service....

1839 – It was reported that Key West “and its neighborhood” were strongly supportive of Charles Downing of St. Augustine for Delegate to...

1823 – At Key West a battery was erected with eight guns, under the command of Capt. Grayson, U.S. Marine Corps. A national salute was...

1855 – Northwest Channel Lighthouse was first lighted. 1907 – Sir William Gray Wilson, Governor of The Bahamas, was in Key West as the...

1830 – A report on deaths at Key West since April 1, 1829 revealed multiple causes: yellow fever, 18; worm fever, 1; visceral...

1854 – The schooner Montauk arrived at Key West from Mobile with a cargo of lumber for the construction of Browne and Curry’s clipper...

1850 – The brig Isabella Reed , sailing from New Orleans to Savannah, ran aground on Conch Reef, but the captain refused assistance from...

1848 – The new Key West Lighthouse on Whitehead Street was lighted for the first time. The lighthouse was built to replace the one...

1833 – A correspondent from Key West wrote, “Disease has attacked us here very severely. Six U.S. soldiers have died lately. One will be...

1864 – Key West’s freedmen marked the first anniversary of emancipation with a celebration at the Baptist Church. U.S. District Judge...

1863 – Two prisoners at Fort Jefferson attempted to escape from the Dry Tortugas on a floating plank. The water was rough, and they did...

1835 – It was reported that during the previous six weeks, $128,000 of salvaged properties had been sold at Key West, with most of the...

1828 – The French ship Mercure wrecked on Carysfort Reef and was a total loss. Part of the cargo, sails, rigging, and crew were saved...

1691 – The frigate Nuestra Señora del Populo y la Aguila Dorada , from Havana to St. Augustine, wrecked at the Dry Tortugas. 1841 –...

1878 – “Poisoned water” was at the Dry Tortugas. Fish and conch were dying all around Fort Jefferson, and their remains were so...

1797 – The brig Commerce of Baltimore sank in a hurricane near Key Largo. The crew spent three days on the island before being rescued...

1836 – Seminole warriors attacked the schooner Mary at Tavernier Key. Two of the five crewmen were shot, but all successfully escaped...