1857 – After three months of heavy rains, the salt crop at Key West had nearly failed. Salt manufacturers had managed to safely put away...

1908 – Recordings of speeches by presidential candidates Wm. H. Taft and Wm. J. Bryan could be heard at Stowers Music House on Duval...

1908 – Monroe County Sheriff Frank Knight took a steamer to Tampa with prisoner “Hobo Joe” under his charge. Joe had been sentenced to...

1901 – St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Duval Street was destroyed by fire, though a large part of the church’s valuables...

1908 – Key West resident Antonio Navaretta, a native of Africa and “undoubtedly the oldest resident on the island,” died at his Watson...

1622 – Three large galleons, along with other ships from Spain’s Tierra Firme fleet, were wrecked from the Marquesas Keys to the Dry...

1927 – A spectacular chase through the streets of Key West resulted in the arrest of Willard Hopkins, who was carrying 85 gallons of...

1862 – During the month of August there were 150 cases of yellow fever reported by the Army in Key West. The deaths from fever totaled...

1916 – The Thompson Fish Company of Key West was adding new boats to its fleet in preparation for the fall and winter seasons. The...

1906 – The Key West Realty Company found a cigar company to build a factory on the large tract of land they had on First Street and...

1863 – The U.S. Gunboat Sagamore returned to Key West after a one-month cruise. During that time Sagamore was involved in the rescue...

1941 – Mom’s Tea Room near Fort Taylor was raided, and three women were arrested for prostitution. 1954 – Key West City Manager Victor...

1884 – William Whitehead died in New Jersey at the age of 74. He had come to Key West with his brother John, who owned a quarter...

1815 – Juan Pablo Salas, a Spanish Royal Artillery Officer stationed in St. Augustine, was granted the island of Cayo Hueso by don Juan...

1880 – The American Shoals Lighthouse was first lighted. 1924 – The Florida State Board of Health notified the City of Key West that...

1887 – The Marine Hospital reported a yellow fever epidemic in Key West had caused 110 cases with 30 deaths. By the time the fever ended...

1851 – Key West had slowed with the summer season: The Coast Survey vessels charting the reef had left for Washington, D.C., work on the...

1882 – Nelson English was named Postmaster of Key West, the first African American to hold that position. 1897 – George W. Allen was...

1884 – The plant on Emma Street for manufacturing gas from coal for home and street lighting was completed. 1924 – Jailor Joe Kemp...

1855 – U.S. Senator and Key West resident Stephen R. Mallory left the island for Pensacola on the USS Fulton so he could meet with...