April 1

An aerial view of Marathon looking eastward down the highway, toward the airport.

1836 – The population of Key West, permanent and transient, was estimated at 600. There had been 13 deaths on the island in the previous year.

1898 – The federal government installed a telegraph cable between Key West and the Dry Tortugas.

1901 – Key West sponge sales for the first three months of the year were $68,000. The catch was lower than the last season, but the price was higher.

1926 – Maj. George Brown of the U.S. Engineering Department arrived in Key West to dynamite the remains of the derelict barque Carmelita, which had been sitting near Mangrove Key in the upper part of the Key West Harbor for over 25 years.

1954 – The State Hotel Commission gave notice to the Island City House at 411 William Street that their license had been revoked and the building must be vacated within one week. The building was found to be below acceptable standards in both safety and sanitation.

1986 – Construction began on a project to widen U.S. 1 in Marathon from two lanes to four lanes from 37^th to 107^th Streets. Work was expected to be completed in late 1987.

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Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.

Image: An aerial view of Marathon looking eastward down the highway, toward the airport. Photo taken by the federal government on October 7, 1987. From the Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.