1928 – President Calvin and First Lady Grace Coolidge arrived in Key West on the cruiser Memphis from Havana. Mayor Leslie Curry gave them a tour of the Naval Station, Army Barracks, and Meacham Airport, followed by a ride along the Boulevard. Crowds lined the streets, and hundreds of schoolchildren assembled at Bayview Park to cheer the distinguished visitors.

1928 – The first transoceanic airplanes in passenger service flew from Key West’s Meacham Field to Havana. The first Pan-American-operated plane carried mail and three passengers: Thomas Bryson, editor of the Citizen; Louis Bragassa, deputy collector of customs; and Albert Caviness, assistant emigration inspector. Passengers on a second plane were: Jorge Ponce, Cuban consul to Key West; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Peyson of New York; and Commander John Loudon, aide to President Cool

The Marathon Library branch welcomes homeschool families for learning activities every Thursday morning.

1925 – A group of Key Westers traveled by boat to Munson Island to give a surprise party for Mr. and Mrs. Newton Munson. The day was spent fishing and in other activities. Music was furnished by the Variety Seven Orchestra.

1910 – All the concrete railroad piers had been completed from Knight’s Key to Pigeon Key, and half from there to Moser Channel. To aid the progress, the camp at West Summerland Key was to be closed and the workforce moved to Pigeon Key.

1956 – Monroe County engineers presented plans for new amenities at Indian Key Fill to the commission. The planned improvements included four round, concrete bathhouses with showers, along with picnic tables and benches.

1911 – The 1910 U.S. census showed Key West had a population of 19,945. This was a significant increase from the 17,114 residents counted in 1900.

1998  – Islamorada resident and fly-fishing pioneer Jimmie Albright died at the age of 82. He pioneered the use of fly tackle for catching bonefish and tarpon.

1920 – The Consolidated Cigar Company’s factory at the corner of Catherine and Grinnell streets in Key West was reopened after undergoing repairs for damage suffered during the 1919 hurricane.

1961 – Stanley G. Gillette, vice-president of the Van Heusen Corporation and a prime mover in the company’s new Key West-themed men’s sportswear fashion campaign, was given the key to the city by Key West Mayor Delio Cobo.

1958 – An exhibition of drawings and paintings by Key West author and artist Morgan Dennis opened at the East Martello gallery of the Key West Art & Historical Society. Dennis and his wife Margaret were on hand for the opening.

Finished watching 'Stranger Things' but not finished with the eerie 1980s vibe? We have some suggestions of books from our collection.

1964 – The Florida cabinet authorized the construction of missile sites by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Boca Chica and Fleming keys. The permanent sites would be used as part of the line of defense against Cuba..

1976 – Monroe County commissioners voted to demolish the long-abandoned and “haunted” Clark mansion in Marathon. The once-palatial waterfront home had been vacant since the owner was found floating dead in an adjacent lagoon over 20 years earlier. In more recent times the structure had been occupied by transient squatters.

1951 – Popular entertainment personality Arthur Godfrey broadcast his daily, nationwide CBS Radio show from Pigeon Key.

1992 – After a six-year renovation, Key West’s San Carlos Institute was reopened. Institute President Rafael Peñalver, who spearheaded the overhaul, introduced U.S. Senator Bob Graham as keynote speaker.

1949 – The Key West City Commission granted a lease to the Key West Charter Boatmen’s Association for a portion of Garrison Bight facing North Roosevelt Boulevard.

1926 – Detroit golf professional Harry Hampton and his assistant Ed Valentine arrived at Key West, where Hampton would serve as the course inspector for the season. The men were planning to host a series of golf tournaments on the island over the coming months.

1956 – President Dwight D. Eisenhower, accompanied by his wife and mother-in-law, enjoyed a two-hour drive up the Keys along U.S.1. The group departed from Key West’s Little White House for the journey.

1935 – A set of four murals painted by Works Progress Administration artist Richard Jansen were displayed for the first time at the Key West Country Club New Year’s Eve ball. The murals, considered to be his best Key West works, depicted aspects of semi-tropical life.