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September 29
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.

Florida Keys History Center
Sep 282 min read


September 17
1908 – The Mallory Steamship Co. announced that, effective Oct. 1, its New York-to-Galveston line would no longer call at Key West. Instead, a new line from Mobile and Tampa would service the island, though a Galveston-to-New York vessel would still stop at Key West on Saturdays for freight and passengers.

Florida Keys History Center
Sep 161 min read


August 22
1941 – Naval Station Key West was running low on water, as rain had been scant, and the cisterns were nearly dry. Two water tankers were brought from Miami to help fill demand, but rationing was likely if rain did not come.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 212 min read


August 6
2010 – U.S. Senators John McCain and Tom Coburn put the renovation of Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas on their list of “100 Stimulus Projects that Give Taxpayers the Blues.” The duo said the work would not create and sustain economic growth and that the fort was too remote for most visitors.

Florida Keys History Center
Aug 52 min read


June 8
1958 – Famed band leader Guy Lombardo announced he was buying the Shamrock Restaurant and Key Colony Beach Club from Phil Sadowski. Lombardo said the Florida Keys should expect to see more of him and his band, the Royal Canadians.

Florida Keys History Center
Jun 72 min read
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