1912 – Henry Flagler arrived on the first train from the mainland to Key West, officially opening the Overseas Extension of the Florida East Coast Railroad. Mr. Flagler was welcomed to Key West by Mayor J.N. Fogarty, distinguished guests, and probably the largest crowd to ever have gathered on the island.

1956 – Florida State Senator Wm. Neblett was calling on Keys residents to provide old maps of the Dry Tortugas. Two small islets, both known as “Sand Key,” were once visible but had since submerged; their existence needed to be proved to help the state to retain control of the area.

1925 – A group of Key Westers traveled by boat to Munson Island to give a surprise party for Mr. and Mrs. Newton Munson. The day was spent fishing and in other activities. Music was furnished by the Variety Seven Orchestra.

1960 – Florida Governor LeRoy Collins dedicated and christened John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first wholly underwater park in the world. A crowd of over 1,000 attended the ceremony at Harry Harris Oceanfront Park near Tavernier.

1935 – Officials from the Florida Works Progress Administration met with a large group of sponge fishermen to discuss the idea of a cooperative sponge exchange in Key West. By bringing better structure to the industry and finding new ways to market the product, it was thought Keys sponging could be revitalized.

1940 – Mabel McKinney sold her Key Largo property fronting the highway and known as “Mabel’s Place” for $1500 to A.K. Gray of Miami.

1937 – The Public Works Administration announced that it had 600 men working on the new Overseas Highway, and the road would be open to the public by the start of the new year.

1981 – Peter Pell, one of the founders of Key West Hand Print Fabrics, died suddenly at his home in Key West. Pell, with his partner James Russell, founded Hand Print Fabrics in the early 1960’s.

1935 – A study by Key West’s federal administrators showed many roofs throughout the city were in poor condition, and islanders were urged to make repairs before the rainy season went into full effect. 

1956 – The Church of God at 905 Grinnell Street in Key West celebrated the arrival of their new pastor, the Reverend G.W. Fletcher Philips.

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.

1960 – Monroe County commissioners ordered staff to develop regulations for the development of new Keys subdivisions. Commissioner A. Maitland Adams noted, “Subdivision developers are providing only one foot of elevation in many cases; miles of canals are being dug without regard to general development.”

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

1939 – Construction of the cable schooner Western Union was progressing rapidly.

1939 – A Works Progress Administration sewer line project employing 442 Key West men had, to date, laid 20 miles of sewer pipe in the city.

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

1898 - A Naval Court of Inquiry was organized to investigate the sinking of the USS Maine, and it would meet in the Key West Custom House.

1935 – The Key West Art Gallery opened in the renovated Caroline Lowe house at 303 Duval Street.

1926 – A gala dance contest was held at the La Concha Hotel in Key West.

1930 – The Key West Chamber of Commerce had requested use of a U.S. government airplane to help eradicate mosquitoes.