1913 – Agustin Parla Orduna, a Key West native, flew his sea plane to Cuba, becoming the second man to fly across the Florida Straits.

1989 – Shorty’s Diner, an institution on Key West’s Duval Street since 1942, closed. A.J. Galloway, son of the founder, announced he was moving to central Florida and taking a long rest.

1976 – The Singleton Corporation announced they had bought Sea Farms, Inc. and the Thompson & O’Neal Shrimp Company. The purchase included most of the waterfront of Key West Bight.

Summer Reading is on throughout June and July at all branches of the Monroe County Public Library.

1961 – Key West’s Thirteenth Street was renamed to Kennedy Drive, and Fifth Street was changed to Macmillan Drive, to commemorate the meeting of President John F. Kennedy and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on the island.

This summer, the Key Largo Library branch will Read the Rainbow - stop by the Library for more information and to pick up a bingo card - complete the bingo card tasks to win prizes!

Join us every Thursday during the summer for programs where you can build your own bird feeders, race your own plankton, meet exciting animals and more!

The Key West Library is excited to host the annual Summer Reading program, Dive Into Reading! Take a deep plunge into your favorite book or get swept away on the high seas of dynamic stories!

1959 – Rear Admiral Francis D. McCorkle, Commanding Officer of Naval Station Key West, was unanimously chosen to be Grand Marshal for the island’s annual Armed Forces Day parade. The popular McCorkle, a highly decorated war hero, was considered an “adopted son” by Key Westers.

1873 – Lodge No. 13 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted at Key West.

1975 – The City of Key West was awarded a federal grant of $201,000 for its “Downtown ’76” restoration and redevelopment project. The funds would be used to make improvements along Duval Street in time for the nation’s Bicentennial observance.

1980 – A one-day record of 5,117 refugees arrived at Key West during the boatlift from Mariel, Cuba.

1954 – Taxi drivers from two cab companies petitioned the Key West City Commission for exclusive rights to their traditional stand on Duval Street near Greene. They said outside drivers were moving in, which was creating crowding and a traffic hazard.

1955 – Key West photographer Larry Karns was holding an exhibit of recent work at his 220 Duval Street studio. The focus of his new images was the “fast disappearing” architecture found in the island’s decaying homes, forts, and cigar factories.

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

A summary of Summer Reading 2025 programs and events at Big Pine Library!

1975 – A new turbine for the FKAA desalination plant on Stock Island arrived at Key West via an emergency Air Sunshine flight. A severe drought had caused Lower Keys water levels to drop very low, and desalinated seawater was crucial to getting through the dry spell.

Two newly added collections, of British Cinema & TV and Kanopy Favorites, offer unlimited plays.

Get Uncommon Measure as an eBook or eAudiobook on Libby, with no waitlists and no holds, May 15-29.

1980 – As the Mariel boatlift continued to grow, President Jimmy Carter ordered 400 U.S. Marines to Key West to take charge of Cuban refugee management.