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August 10
1962 – The House Appropriations Committee in Washington approved a $2,516,000 expenditure for a new bachelor officers’ quarters building to be located on the Trumbo Seaplane Base. The new facility would be centrally located and replace all existing BOQs on the base.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 92 min read


August 3
1945 – The northern portion of Lower Matecumbe Key, comprising 352 acres, was sold for $56,250 to a development group through Marathon realtor W.A. Parrish. The southern portion of the key had been purchased a few weeks before for the same price, meaning that in the two transactions the entirety of Lower Matecumbe sold for $112,500.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 21 min read


July 3
1957 – Miguel Garcia became the first person to water ski from Havana to Key West, accomplishing the feat in four hours and 15 minutes and using one ski. Garcia was backed by the Cuban National Sports Commission and the Key West Chamber of Commerce, which held a reception for him after his landing.

Monroe County Public Library
Jul 22 min read


June 8
1958 – Famed band leader Guy Lombardo announced he was buying the Shamrock Restaurant and Key Colony Beach Club from Phil Sadowski. Lombardo said the Florida Keys should expect to see more of him and his band, the Royal Canadians.

Florida Keys History Center
Jun 72 min read


May 9
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.

Florida Keys History Center
May 82 min read


March 28
1966 – The Lighthouse Military Museum opened in the former Key West lighthouse keeper’s quarters on Whitehead Street.

Florida Keys History Center
Mar 271 min read


Bringing JOY from the Library
Staff from the Islamorada Library branch provide tech help to the JOY Center every week and a film club and craft class once a month.

Monroe County Public Library
Mar 272 min read


February 13
1899 – The Key West Electric Street Railway company opened with a streetcar that ran up and down Duval and to La Brisa.

Florida Keys History Center
Feb 132 min read


February 5
1953 – The Key West City Commission approved a resolution that changed the name of Salt Pond Road to Jose Marti Drive.

Florida Keys History Center
Feb 52 min read


February 4
1999 – A group called “Citizens Coalition for the Preservation of Keys Character” was working to dissolve the new Village of Islamorada.

Florida Keys History Center
Feb 42 min read


December 26
1954 – The 53-unit Southernmost Motel at the corner of Duval and South streets was nearing completion.

Florida Keys History Center
Dec 26, 20241 min read
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