1920 – The Consolidated Cigar Company’s factory at the corner of Catherine and Grinnell streets in Key West was reopened after undergoing repairs for damage suffered during the 1919 hurricane.

1955 – An eight-event race card was topped by a 30-lap feature race at the new Stock Island Speedway. Over 1,500 fans were on hand to watch drivers from the Key West Stock Car Association compete with rival racers from Miami.

1985 – After months of delay and debate, Key West city commissioners approved development of “The Village at Key West” on 112 acres adjacent to the Stock Island landfill. The project was to include a 339-room hotel and convention center, 192 condominiums, a marina and a beach, a restaurant, and 10 retail shops.

1960 – Monroe County was second place in the state for the highest percentage of homes with television sets: Of 16,400 residences, 90 percent had TVs. Broward County led with 91 percent.

1945 – The northern portion of Lower Matecumbe Key, comprising 352 acres, was sold for $56,250 to a development group through Marathon realtor W.A. Parrish. The southern portion of the key had been purchased a few weeks before for the same price, meaning that in the two transactions the entirety of Lower Matecumbe sold for $112,500.

1958 – Congress agreed that the old Navy Hospital and Commissary building at Tropical and United streets in Key West could be turned over to the Monroe County School District for use as its maintenance headquarters.

1913 – Agustin Parla Orduna, a Key West native, flew his sea plane to Cuba, becoming the second man to fly across the Florida Straits.

1953 – The Arthur Sawyer Post 28, American Legion, asked the City of Key West for permission to buy the land where their clubhouse sat.

1955 – Mackerel and tarpon were running in Key West Harbor and dozens of fishermen were trying their luck from the Clyde-Mallory Dock.

1956 – The M.S. Allen Funeral Home opened in a new concrete-block building at 325 Julia Street in Key West.

1926 – A gala dance contest was held at the La Concha Hotel in Key West.

Even when our doors are closed, you can still get print books and DVDs from the Library.

1925 – At midnight, the U.S. Weather Bureau station at Sand Key was closed.

1912 – Key West continued to celebrate the completion of the railroad. At 11 a.m. a parade marched down Duval Street.

1912 – “Opening the Over Sea Railway to Key West” was the cover story of Collier’s National Weekly Magazine.

1909 – The Manuel Lopez Cigar Company of New York purchased property along Key West’s County Road (Flagler Ave.) for a new factory.