April 6
- Florida Keys History Center
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
1823 – At Key West a battery was erected with eight guns, under the command of Capt. Grayson, U.S. Marine Corps. A national salute was fired, and the town named Allenton. Commodore David Porter also “proclaimed some wholesome regulations, for the present government of the place.”
1829 – The citizens of Indian Key, joined by various seamen, raised a flag staff on the island, to the encouraging shouts of the attendees. It was said, “A remarkable occurrence took place – persons who had climbed to the top of the staff, say to the height of 40 feet – after drinking several toasts, threw the glasses to the ground, which fell without breaking or fracturing any one of them.”
1943 – The USO Club at 303 Duval Street in Key West was dedicated. The Club, located in the old Caroline Lowe House, was operated by the Women’s Division of the National Catholic Community.
1926 – The section of Key West’s White Street from Division Street (now Truman Avenue) to South Beach was being improved at a rapid rate. When the work was complete, the street would have a uniform width of 42 feet from curb to curb.
1956 – Residents living near Key West’s Salt Ponds were complaining because the ponds had become landlocked, and as the water evaporated marine life and vegetation died and decayed, creating a terrible stench. The city assured them that there were plans to reconnect the ponds to the ocean.
1972 – Florida Keys Enterprises revealed plans for a $25 million, 1,120-unit housing complex planned for a 52-acre site on South Roosevelt Boulevard in Key West.
1976 – Students at Key West’s May Sands School buried a time capsule filled with items reflecting what life was like for them, and they intended for it to be opened by future students in 50 years. Instructions for locating the capsule were placed with the Schools Superintendent, the Key West Mayor, and the Key West Library.
1998 – Bob Hayes, fishing with Captain Alex Adler on the Kalex out of Bud ‘n Mary’s Marina on Upper Matecumbe Key, caught and released a Great White Shark that was 12 and 1/2 feet long and estimated to weigh 1,000 pounds.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: USO Club at 303 Duval Street, 1940s. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
