1856 – The steamer Isabel arrived at Key West with an artillery company under the command of Col. Winder to replace Capt. Vodges’ Company A, who had been stationed at the island’s Army barracks for a considerable time. Vodges and his men then sailed for Fort Moultrie, Charleston.

2001 – County-owned Higgs Beach Park needed a $2 million renovation, prompting many to wonder whether Monroe County should hold and maintain a park that is entirely within the city of Key West. Monroe County Mayor George Neugent felt the money could be better spent on recreation facilities in unincorporated areas of the county.

1926 – A delegation appointed by the Monroe County Commission traveled to the Matecumbe Keys to help find the best route through those islands for a new highway. Some Matecumbe residents feared land values would plummet if the planned road traversed their properties, and the delegates hoped to ease their minds.

1964 – The Florida cabinet authorized the construction of missile sites by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Boca Chica and Fleming keys. The permanent sites would be used as part of the line of defense against Cuba..

1949 – The Key West City Commission granted a lease to the Key West Charter Boatmen’s Association for a portion of Garrison Bight facing North Roosevelt Boulevard.

1982 – The Florida Keys seceded from the United States in a mock ceremony to protest the U.S. Border Patrol’s establishment of a roadblock at Florida City to check the citizenship of everyone leaving Monroe County.

1886 – At 10 o’clock in the morning, a fire started near the San Carlos Theater in Key West.

1986 – The last “Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet” took place, with Father Tony Mullane performing the service.

1971 – John Dedek purchased the neglected Fogarty House property at 227 Duval Street in Key West.

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