top of page


November 22
1960 – After the accidental shooting of a Miami man on No Name Key, Monroe County Sheriff’s officials denied reports the island was being used as an amphibious invasion training ground by Cuban refugees. Instead, they said, it was a group of unemployed drifters who had decided to “live off the land” of the remote key.

Monroe County Public Library
6 days ago2 min read


November 21
1960 – The East Martello Tower Museum opened a new exhibit called “The Playhouse,” which featured toys housed in the first playhouse built in Key West.

Florida Keys History Center
6 days ago1 min read


November 13
1974 – Filming for “92 in the Shade” began at the Cow Key Marina on Stock Island, with actors Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, and Margot Kidder. The film, based on author Thomas McGuane’s novel of the same name, told a tale of rival Keys charter fishermen.

Florida Keys History Center
Nov 122 min read


November 3
1935 – Wm R. Kenan, president of the Florida East Coast Railway, arrived in Key West to inspect the company’s railroad and hotel holdings on the island. He said there would be no determination about restoring the rail line until inspectors completed an assessment of damage caused by the Labor Day Hurricane.

Florida Keys History Center
Nov 22 min read


November 2
1935 – While restoring the Key West Art Center located in the Caroline Lowe house at 303 Duval Street, carpenters discovered a hollowed-out rail on the widow’s walk. During the Civil War, Lowe often flew a Confederate flag from the walk, but whenever Union forces tried to seize the banner, they could never find it. It was thought this hollow was the hiding place.

Florida Keys History Center
Nov 12 min read


October 28
1975 – Treasure hunter Mel Fisher announced he had purchased Brito’s Boat Yard at 629 Front Street in Key West. He planned to recreate a “pirate village” from 300 years ago on the property, with his replica galleon alongside. There would also be an artifact preservation facility, gold and silversmith shops, and a cocktail lounge.

Florida Keys History Center
Oct 272 min read


October 22
2010 – After multiple chicken poisonings in Key West and Stock Island over previous days, Lower Keys wildlife organizations were worried about not only the brazenly illegal acts, but also the effects that poisoned feed and tainted carcasses would have on other animals.

Florida Keys History Center
Oct 212 min read


September 22
1960 – The Monroe County Democrats opened a “Kennedy for President” headquarters at 532 Duval Street in Key West. The office would be staffed daily to provide information about presidential candidate John F. Kennedy and other Democratic contenders.

Florida Keys History Center
Sep 212 min read


September 3
1940 – Wallace Kirke, director of the Key West Housing Authority, issued a call for bids on the construction of the J.Y. Porter Place and Fort Village housing projects. Porter Place was to be on Trumbo Island with 136 units. Fort Village, at Virginia and Fort streets, was to have 84 units for “colored” families of Key West.

Florida Keys History Center
Sep 22 min read


August 9
1950 – Thousands of fish were found in Key West streets after a heavy rain. One theory was that a large waterspout carried the fish ashore, an idea supported by the fact that most of the fish were mullet, which swim on the surface. Others insisted it had rained fish. One man even said he saw a full-grown sponge fall from the sky.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 82 min read


August 4
1960 – Key West police officer Cpl. Harry Sawyer was chosen “most outstanding law enforcement officer of the year” by the Key West Junior Chamber of Commerce. It was the first time in six years that a Key West officer had won the coveted county-wide honor.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 32 min read


August 1
2011 – Islamorada’s Cheeca Lodge was purchased for $100 million by a subsidiary of New York-based Northwood Investors. In 2003, the property had sold for $33 million.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 312 min read


Reel Recs
Films and TV shows from the Monroe County Public Library collection, recommended by Library staff.

Monroe County Public Library
Jul 2524 min read


July 22
1935 – The Key West Tree Guild was organized, with Wallace B. Kirke as president. The guild’s mission was “to provide a medium through which tree lovers can work and help in developing shade trees on the island.”

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 211 min read


July 8
1962 – Key West City Commissioner John dePoo was demanding that the archway signs proclaiming Telegraph Lane to be “Mitchell Wolfson Way” be removed as they had never been formally approved.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 72 min read


July 7
1990 – Key West Mayor Tony Tarracino and Corrine Crockett of Blue Heaven, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, cut the ribbon for the first Bahama Village Caribbean Festival. Musician Coffee Butler provided live entertainment, and island food and handicrafts were available along Petronia Street. Similar festivals were planned for the first Sunday of every month.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 62 min read


July 6
1961 – Key West marine salvager Chet Alexander recovered a large, coral-encrusted anchor from an old wooden shipwreck found between the Sand Key Lighthouse and the reef. Alexander suspected the vessel was caught in a hurricane when it went down.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 52 min read


July 5
1963 – Leonard “Mike” Warren celebrated his 20th anniversary of working at the snack and magazine stand in the Key West Federal Building. Warren was considered one of the city’s most popular and hardest working businessmen.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 42 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


May 22
1956 – Democratic Presidential candidate Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver was campaigning in Key West. He promised Mayor C.B. Harvey that if he was elected, he would make Key West his vacation headquarters.

Florida Keys History Center
May 212 min read
News
bottom of page

