April 16

The Heritage House at 410 Caroline Street.

1893 – The Key West Guard, Company A of the 5th Battalion, drilled at the Armory in the Monroe County Court House. The officers were: F.C. Brossier, Captain; M.W. Curry, 1st Lieutenant and H.L. Roberts, 2nd Lieutenant.

1930 – The Tarpon Springs newspaper warned that Greek sponge divers of that city would find trouble if they worked in Key West waters. “… if the Greeks start diving operations near that city it will lead to serious trouble through conflict with the native hook spongers,” it said. Key Westers had long believed diving would kill the sponge beds.

1952 – The first families moved into the new 1,000-unit military housing projects at Sigsbee Park and Peary Court.

1985 – Mayor Richard Heyman led the ground-breaking ceremonies for the new 158-room Key West Hampton Inn on North Roosevelt Boulevard.

2010 – Owners of Key West’s Heritage House Museum announced it would close after the historic mid-19th century building at 410 Caroline St. was sold to Peter Brawn, who had been buying many of the island’s significant properties.

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

Image: The Heritage House at 410 Caroline Street. From the Dale McDonald Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.