August 11

Florida Governor Dave Sholtz (C) and Julius Stone (R) at the National Guard Encampment at Fort Taylor, Key West, in the 1930s.

1934 – Florida Governor Dave Sholtz arrived in Key West for his annual inspection of the Florida National Guard, which was in camp for two weeks of training at Fort Taylor.

1941 – Mom’s Tea Room near Fort Taylor was raided, and three women were arrested on charges of prostitution.

1956 – Florida Attorney General Richard Ervin ruled that Stock Island was a part of the Port of Key West “for all practical purposes” and subject to its port charges. His opinion came after a steamship company using private docks on Stock island claimed to be exempt from the Key West Harbor Master’s fees.

1966 – Key West city officials met with the Florida Insurance Commissioner and Attorney General to plea for a reduction in proposed windstorm insurance rates, only to be told increases were inevitable. The new rates would go up an average of 50 percent.

1968 – The Pier House Motel at Duval-On-the-Gulf opened for business. The 50-room motel was developed by David Wolkowsky.

1979 – Workers re-digging a well at 902 Whitehead Street found gold estimated to be worth about $1,000. The gold was believed to have come from melted coins.

1976 – The Underseas Research and Salvage Corp. began shipwreck exploration operations at American Shoals. The previous year, the group, headed by Jerry Malinski, had found two 1590 bronze cannons and four iron guns from 1733 at the same reef while fishing for lobster.

1985 – The Rev. Steve Torrence was installed as pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church in Key West.

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

Image: Florida Governor Dave Sholtz (C) and Julius Stone (R) at the National Guard Encampment at Fort Taylor, Key West, in the 1930s. From a collection of photographs taken or collected during the 1930s by the WPA workers in Key West. The Heritage House Collection, donated by the Campbell, Poirier, and Pound families. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.