April 10

Aerial view of Key West's Casa Marina Hotel, 1950s.

1924 – The State of Florida’s Internal Improvement Fund advertised Wisteria Island (Christmas Tree Island) for sale. The island which was created when marl from the harbor was thrown upon the shoal. The island was about 400 by 300 feet.

1937 – The José Martí Monument in Bayview Park was unveiled. Mayor Harry C. Galey, Cuban Senator José M. Castillo, and Marie Gusten, matron of the Mercedes Hospital, presided over the ceremony.

1946 – Monroe County commissioners were exploring the idea of installing yellow caution lights on the highway at Rock Harbor, Tavernier, Islamorada, and Marathon.

1956 – Max Marmorstein sold the Casa Marina Hotel for $800,000 to businessman Beale Poste of Granville, Ohio. Marmorstein had owned the luxury hotel since 1950.

1963 – Two reporters from the Key West Citizen visited No Name Key to investigate reports that anti-Castro Revolutionaries were using the island for training. They found a secret camp with nine young Cubans training on the island. At that time there was no bridge to the island.

1985 – In an election for a special tax levy for a new fire truck for the special taxing district that includes Conch, Duck, and Grassy keys, the vote ended in a 60-60 tie. In accordance with Florida law a lot was drawn to decide the election and the “no” was drawn, defeating the bond issue.

1986 – The first draft of a growth management ordinance for the City of Key West met opposition by both the public and local officials. The order proposed to cap housing construction on the island at 257 residential units per year for 14 years, after which “build-out” would be achieved.  

1993 – The short spur of Whitehead Street from Front Street to the Key West Aquarium was named David Wolkowsky Street in honor of Wolkowsky’s work in making Key West one of the premier tourist attractions in the United States.

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

Image: Aerial view of Key West's Casa Marina Hotel, 1950s. Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.