1986 – Construction began on a project to widen U.S. 1 in Marathon from two lanes to four lanes from 37th to 107th Streets. Work was expected to be completed in late 1987.

1926 – The Brethren meeting at the Gospel Chapel at 720 Southard Street in Key West began a three-day conference that would run until the close of Sunday evening services.

1986 – The Old Island Restoration Commission approved the moving of a house at 411 Whitehead Street to 709 Thomas Street, so the parking lot of the La Concha Hotel could be expanded as part of the dormant hotel’s renovation before reopening.

1861 – Supplies and a detachment of 62 troops from the First U.S. Artillery were landed at Fort Taylor from the steamer Daniel Webster to reinforce Capt. John M. Brannan’s company. The Webster then steamed to the Dry Tortugas with additional men and six months of provisions for Fort Jefferson.

1960 – The formal grand opening of Bevis-Lewis Chevrolet was held in Key West. The all-in-one sales and service center for new and used cars was located at 3500 North Roosevelt Boulevard.

1986 – Monroe County Commissioners approved the construction of a new 150-seat restaurant at the site of the existing Driftwood Luncheonette on Higgs Beach in Key West. Local architects were asked to submit plans for the new eatery.

1926 – The Key West Realty Board heard a proposal by Hilliard Hammerschlag for a sight-seeing bus to be operated from Trumbo Island to points throughout Key West. Hammerschlag said between 200 to 600 visitors were arriving via train and steamer daily, and the proposition would be a profitable one.

1974 – Keys shrimpers were experiencing a significant economic downturn as shrimp prices had dropped 39 percent over the previous year, while the cost of fuel was up 50 percent.

2000 – Key West artist George Carey unveiled his latest work, a 10-foot brass sculpture of a manatee in front of the First State Bank building on North Roosevelt Boulevard. Carey’s work was commissioned by the bank as part of the local Art in Public Places program.

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.

1905 – A large group of Key Westers returned on the steamship Olivette after visiting the fair at Tampa. It was estimated that about 1,000 islanders had gone to see the fair in recent days.

1960 – After the accidental shooting of a Miami man on No Name Key, Monroe County Sheriff’s officials denied reports the island was being used as an amphibious invasion training ground by Cuban refugees. Instead, they said, it was a group of unemployed drifters who had decided to “live off the land” of the remote key.

1935 – The landing barge for the Miami-Key West Airways seaplanes was moved from the railroad terminus to the yacht basin (the former Naval Station submarine basin), which was better located and better protected. It was hoped the change would foster daily round-trip flights between the two cities.

1960 – Poucher’s grocery store in Islamorada was purposefully destroyed by fire when, after days without power from Hurricane Donna, it was determined the rotting meats and vegetables inside were becoming a health hazard.

1905 – Three hundred men were working on Key Largo to build the railroad bed for the Florida East Coast’s Overseas Railway, and five miles had been graded on the island to that date. Another crew was making soundings and drilling bore holes at Knights Key to determine the best foundation to cross it.

2010 – Buyers from China, Taiwan, and other overseas markets were paying between $5 and $7 per pound for spiny lobster, making Florida Keys crawfishermen very happy. These prices were double what they had been the previous year.

1985 – An early morning fire destroyed the Siboney Inn at the corner of Truman Avenue and Elizabeth Street in Key West, as well as an adjacent residence at 919 Elizabeth. Three firefighters were overcome by smoke while battling the large blaze.

1975 – Six hundred people were employed in manufacturing in Key West. A partial breakdown showed 23.7% in textile and clothing production; 21% in stone, clay, glass, and concrete products; 15.8% in printing and publishing; 8.3% in making durable goods; 3.5% in chemicals; and 3.2% in non-durable goods.

1946 – After being re-tested, the waters of South Beach in Key West were declared safe and free of all disease germs. Staff from the Navy Hospital had issued a warning earlier in the week saying the beach was contaminated, unsafe for bathing, and off-limits to Navy personnel.

1968 – The Pier House Motel at Duval-On-the-Gulf opened for business. The 50-room motel was developed by Key Wester David Wolkowsky.