1935 – The Commandant’s residence on the Naval Station in Key West was being refurbished and refurnished in readiness for occupancy by visitors from Washington. Among those anticipated to be staying in the residence was Marvin McIntyre, secretary to President Roosevelt.

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.

1993 – Renowned author James Leo Herlihy died in California. Herlihy had lived in Key West from 1956 to 1972 and was an integral part of the island’s then-burgeoning literary community. Two of his best-known books, both made into movies, were “Midnight Cowboy” and “All Fall Down.”

1975 – The “Doomsday Atlas” prepared by the U.S. Defense Civil Preparedness Agency showed that the area from Sugarloaf Key to Key West would be devastated in a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union due to an attack on the Naval Air Station at Boca Chica.

1938 – Key Wester Charles F. Dupont died at age 77. In 1888, he became the first elected African American Sheriff in Florida when he was selected by Monroe County voters. He served as Monroe County Sheriff for five years. Key West’s DuPont Lane is named in his honor.

1925 – A celebration was held for the opening of the Boca Chica bridge, the first step in the new Overseas Highway being built through the Florida Keys. A “mammoth motorcade” left Key West, crossed Stock Island and then traversed the new bridge to Rocky Point on Boca Chica Key for the celebration.

1925 – A freight train derailed at Marathon. A wrecking crew from Key West was dispatched immediately after receiving the news, but clearing the tracks delayed the arrival of the passenger train from morning to afternoon.

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.

1960 – Betty Bruce proposed that a collection of pictures, maps, and books telling of the history of old Key West would be a worthy addition to the Monroe County Public Library, and she encouraged local persons to donate such materials “so that a real Key West historical corner could be established.”

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

1961 – Key West marine salvager Chet Alexander recovered a large, coral-encrusted anchor from an old wooden shipwreck found between the Sand Key Lighthouse and the reef. Alexander suspected the vessel was caught in a hurricane when it went down.

1975 – The cruise ship Pacific Princess made its third visit to Key West in a month. Greeters presented hibiscus flowers to lady passengers as they disembarked, and tea towels from Key West Hand Print Fabrics were given to all passengers.

1952 – Dr. Remington Kellogg, director of the U.S. National Museum, issued a statement outlining the distinctiveness of the Key deer.

1938 – After two years of discussion and planning, the Key West City Council passed an ordinance providing for zoning within city limits.

1953 – The Key West City Commission approved a resolution that changed the name of Salt Pond Road to Jose Marti Drive.

In November 1831, a ship carrying 230 Irish laborers to New Orleans ran aground. The passengers rose up and caused havoc in Key West.

The first locomotive to reach Key West was actually in 1853 - after it was salvaged from a shipwreck.

The 1733 wreck of a Spanish treasure fleet off the Keys led to some of the first English-language newspaper reporting about the islands.