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August 7
1909 – The Key West Elks hosted a turtle supper at their Duval Street clubhouse. Guests were C.L. Meyer, manager of the P. & O. Steamship Company, and a Mr. Ullman from the community of Planter on Key Largo.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 62 min read


July 24
1865 – Dr. Samuel Mudd, Edward Spangler, Michael O'Laughlen, and Samuel Arnold – all convicted as conspirators in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln – arrived at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas to serve their prison terms. They joined 552 other prisoners being held there.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 232 min read


July 22
1926 – The new issue of the Lighthouse Service Bulletin explained how drinking water was obtained for the light stations along the Florida Reef: Rainwater that fell on the painted lighthouse structures was caught and carried by gutters and pipes to 8,000-gallon storage tanks, a method that had been practiced for nearly 75 years.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 212 min read


June 24
1926 – Jumbo, a loggerhead sea turtle, celebrated his third birthday at the aquarium at the eastern end of Key West. Jumbo had been hatched in a sandbox onboard Peter Roberts’ fishing boat and then hand-raised alongside Roberts’ dock for two years, before being transferred to the aquarium because of his increasing size.

Florida Keys History Center
Jun 232 min read


June 14
1906 – Work commenced on the new Triumph Coffee Mill building on a lot behind the Pohalski Cigar Factory. The corrugated iron structure was expected to take three weeks to complete.

Florida Keys History Center
Jun 132 min read


March 23
1956 – The auto ferry TMT Cuba began service between Key West and Havana, becoming the second ferry service at the time to provide passage between the two cities. Local and Cuban government and military officials were on hand for the “bon voyage” party held at the ferry’s dock at the end of Duval Street.

Florida Keys History Center
Mar 222 min read


November 8
1975 – A new city arena for horse shows and other equestrian events opened at Peary Court with a two-day championship rodeo sponsored by the Key West Fire Department. The arena was dedicated to Gilbert Gates, Jr. and Larry Brennan, two Key West boys electrocuted in a tragic boating accident.

Florida Keys History Center
Nov 8, 20252 min read


August 31
1919 – A general strike was called by 3,000 Key West cigarmakers and tobacco workers. The laborers were demanding wage increases comparable to those paid in Tampa.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 30, 20252 min read


March 11
1925 – A daily silent period for the naval radio station at Key West was authorized, to end interference with local radio stations.

Florida Keys History Center
Mar 10, 20251 min read


January 22
2004 – The City of Key West hired Armando Parra as official chicken catcher to try to control the island’s free-ranging chicken population.

Florida Keys History Center
Jan 22, 20252 min read
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