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.”

1945 – A fire engine first used by the Key West Fire Department’s Tiger Hose Company No.3 in 1917, was taken out of storage to be refurbished and returned to service. Fire Chief Leroy Torres said, “There is still a lot of good in old ‘Queen Mary,’” using the department’s nickname for the engine.

1952 – Key West Police Chief Bienvenido Perez claimed to be the last surviving man of the three who buried Elena Hoyos. Hoyos’ body had earlier been exhumed by an obsessed Karl Tanzler, who lived with her body for many years before being discovered. Perez said she was buried in an unmarked grave in the Key West Cemetery, and he would never reveal its location.

1951 – The Monroe County Commission assumed management of Monroe General Hospital, taking over from the board of trustees that had been running the facility. The change came after a long period of complaints about the quality of care at the hospital.

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.

1902 – The electric and ice plant of William Curry & Sons on Front Street was destroyed when three boilers exploded. Thomas Webb and William H. Saunders were killed when the building collapsed. Pieces of boiler were thrown 10 blocks away, and the city was plunged into darkness. Damage to the plant was estimated at $75,000.

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.

1959 – The Key West High School baseball team won the Class A State High School championship with a 3-to-2 victory over Milton High.

1962 – A reception was held at Truman Elementary School to honor Miss Miriam Carey, who was retiring after 43 years of teaching. The beloved Carey had taught multiple generations of Key Westers, and she was named Florida’s “Teacher of the Year” in 1960.

1947 – The U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board authorized National Airlines to provide air service between Key West and Havana.

1955 – Mackerel and tarpon were running in Key West Harbor and dozens of fishermen were trying their luck from the Clyde-Mallory Dock.

1940 – Key Wester William W. Demeritt was commissioned a Captain in the Coast Guard.

Many people were traveling by train from Miami to Knights Key “solely for the novelty of the ride over the sea by rail.”

1925 – The Key West Police Department declared that, due to a rise in reckless driving, they would increase enforcement of traffic laws.

1899 - Judge J. Vining Harris held an open house at his new home at the ocean end of Duval Street.

1912 – President William H. Taft arrived in Key West via train.

1910 – The Key West Bar Association met to gather support for the formation of a new judicial circuit.