1925 – A celebration was held for the opening of the Boca Chica bridge, the first step in the new Overseas Highway being built through the Florida Keys. A “mammoth motorcade” left Key West, crossed Stock Island and then traversed the new bridge to Rocky Point on Boca Chica Key for the celebration.

1935 – The most intense hurricane to hit the United States passed over Long Key and Lower Matecumbe Key. The category five storm had a barometer reading of 26.35, winds estimated at around 200 mph, and tides 18 to 20 feet above normal. The storm killed over 400 people, many of them WWI veterans employed in building new highway bridges, and put the already financially troubled Overseas Railroad out of business.

1945 – A contract was renewed for Fred Howland, Inc. to complete the construction of 155 low-cost Navy housing units at the end of White Street across from Rest Beach in Key West.

2010 – The Key West City Commission voted 5-2 to include a referendum on the November ballot asking voters whether the city should acquire the Glynn Archer school building for use as a City Hall.

1930 – It was reported that 100 sharks, averaging 7 feet each, were being caught daily near Big Pine Key by boats working for the Hydenoil Company. “Not a particle of the shark is thrown away” was said of Hydenoil’s processing system, which focused on shark leather and liver oil.

Getting a library card can be a useful - and money-saving! - part of your hurricane preparations.

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

In 1964, a hurricane led the Beatles to make an impromptu stop in Key West.

Here's how you can protect and, if necessary, salvage photographs and documents in case of a flood.