April 27
- Florida Keys History Center
- Apr 27
- 2 min read
1898 – The Army took over the Cuban telegraph cable from Western Union. Telegraph Superintendent M.L. Hellings was commissioned as captain in the Army and remain to direct a secret intelligence network in Cuba he had organized using Western Union employees.
1926 – A new Key West Salvation Army barracks was being built at the corner of Fleming and Grinnell streets from materials taken from a structure on the Fort Taylor grounds. When completed, the building would be painted white, with a light green interior.
1968 – The Key West Citizen was accorded double honors at the Florida Press Association annual meeting in Jacksonville. The Citizen was given first place award for the best page one layout for a daily newspaper with circulation under 20,000. Reporter Frank “Bud” Jacobson was given an honorable mention for his in-depth reporting of a land purchase by City Electric System that resulted in a state investigation.
1976 – The Monroe County Courthouse in Key West was being renovated for the upcoming national Bicentennial celebration. Among the improvements were new flooring and new interior paint. A 20-by-8-foot mural depicting the history of the Keys was also being rendered by artist Paul Stevens.
1980 – A squall lasting 45 minutes swept across Key West and the Straits of Florida, with wind gusts up to 73 m.p.h. recorded. Vessels participating in the Mariel boatlift were struck, sinking several craft and leaving at least a dozen dead. At one point, Coast Guard Station Key West received 22 “May Day” calls within five minutes.
1992 – The film “Matinee,” starring John Goodman, began shooting on Smathers Beach.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Monroe County Courthouse at 500 Whitehead Street in Key West, 1976. Photo by Joe Regan. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
