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October 21
1962 – As tensions with Cuba increased, the FAA constructed a temporary control tower at Key West International Airport overnight. In addition, many military personnel arrived over the weekend.

Florida Keys History Center
2 days ago2 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


July 25
1863 – In a ceremony at Clinton Place in Key West, the local citizenry presented a $750 gold sword to Colonel Tilghman H. Good, Commander of the 47th Pennsylvania Regiment. Col. Good had rescinded an order that would have banished to Charleston nearly 600 Key Westers suspected of being Confederate sympathizers.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 242 min read


July 23
1950 - The USO/YMCA at the corner of Whitehead and Southard streets provided services and entertainment to the military men stationed in Key West.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 222 min read


July 14
1955 – Work was underway on the new County Beach at the foot of White Street. A wall was being built into the water around the West Martello Tower, and sand would be placed on the inside to cover a rocky area. Steps would lead to the ocean from the wall for the convenience of bathers.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 132 min read


June 23
1905 – Members of Key West’s Black community were urging a boycott of the Key West electric railway on account of a new “Jim Crow” rule that was scheduled to go into effect on July 1 to separate streetcar passengers by race.

Florida Keys History Center
Jun 221 min read


March 26
1961 – President John F. Kennedy and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan met in Key West to discuss the situation in Southeast Asia.

Florida Keys History Center
Mar 252 min read
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