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October 17
1975 – City of Key West officials met with members of the Old Island Restoration Commission, and all agreed to an ordinance that would give the OIRC jurisdiction over the construction, repair, or alteration of structures in the city’s historic district.

Keys History Center
6 days ago2 min read


September 19
1993 – Earl Adams died at age 90. He served on the Key West City Commission and was Monroe County Clerk of Court from 1949 to 1973. He was also a reporter for the Miami Herald and Key West Citizen and wrote a long-running Key West History column for the Citizen.

Florida Keys History Center
Sep 182 min read


September 12
1906 – Barrooms were of much discussion in Key West. The city council had recently passed an ordinance prohibiting women from entering bars and from anyone dancing therein; the liquor association planned to appeal it as unconstitutional. Local ministers were asking that bars be prohibited within 400 feet of churches or schools.

Florida Keys History Center
Sep 112 min read


August 27
1945 – Blas Zarate of the White Inn on Division Street (now Truman Avenue) in Key West was arrested for selling beer on a Sunday, and customer Harvey Stirrup was charged with consuming beer on Sunday. The men were given bonds of $250 and $25, respectively.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 262 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
Aug 241 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


July 18
1914 – Morris Garfunkel, who had long owned the Gulf City Furniture Company in Key West, announced he would soon be leaving the island to engage in business in Detroit, Michigan.

Monroe County Public Library
Jul 172 min read


July 15
1962 – Rudy’s Bar was at 124 Duval Street, occupying the former Key West Custom House building, which had been moved to the location in 1891.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 141 min read


May 29
1975 – The Florida State Unemployment Compensation Bureau in Key West moved from 419 to 421 Caroline Street. Both addresses were within the same building.

Florida Keys History Center
May 281 min read


May 26
1955 – To “protect the efficiency, health, and welfare of military personnel,” the U.S. Navy declared three Key West businesses “off limits” for all enlisted men and officers: The 116 Club at 116 Fitzpatrick Street; a rooming house at 119 Duval Street; and The Tattoo at 713 ½ Duval Street.

Florida Keys History Center
May 251 min read


March 23
1986 – The last “Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet” took place, with Father Tony Mullane performing the service.

Florida Keys History Center
Mar 222 min read


December 24
1936 – Pena’s Garden of Roses held its grand opening. It was located on Thomas Street, behind the Monroe County Courthouse.

Florida Keys History Center
Dec 24, 20241 min read
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