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December 27
1935 – Despite the air temperature being a chilly 52 degrees, visitors from the north enjoyed swimming in the waters off Key West’s Rest Beach.

Florida Keys History Center
Dec 26, 20252 min read


December 14
1888 – The construction contract for a new Key West Custom House on Front Street at Clinton Place was awarded. The structure would be completed at a cost of $107,955.96 and occupied in the later part of 1891.

Florida Keys History Center
Dec 13, 20251 min read


September 6
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.

Florida Keys History Center
Sep 5, 20252 min read


August 26
1863 – One hundred sixty-five masons and laborers had recently arrived at Key West to work on the East and West Martello Towers, though some of the force was dispatched to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas for work there.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 25, 20252 min read


August 16
1945 – Harold Colee, executive vice president of the Florida State Chamber of Commerce, presented a centennial plaque to William Curry & Sons of Key West. William Curry & Sons, founded in 1843, was one only three businesses in the state that have been in continuous operation for more than 100 years.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 15, 20252 min read


July 28
1964 – The Monroe County Commission, in a secret meeting, approved plans to raze the 11-year-old county jail in Key West and replace it with a three-story structure housing a new jail and courtroom facilities.

Florida Keys History Center
Jul 27, 20252 min read


July 12
1919 – The Key West Branch of the Afro-American Independent Insurance Co. held a luncheon reception for ministers of the city at Newman Methodist Episcopal Church. The church was richly decorated with flowers and potted plants, and “the entire affair was one of the greatest events of the season.”

Monroe County Public Library
Jul 11, 20252 min read


February 9
1995 – The statue of Henry “Booty” Singleton at the foot of Margaret Street was dedicated.

Florida Keys History Center
Feb 8, 20251 min read
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