August 16

Curry & Sons building on Front Street, ca. 1900.

1863 – The U.S.S. De Soto captured the steamer Alice Vivian, a Confederate blockade runner laden with cotton, in the Gulf. Onboard were members of the staff of General James E. Slaughter, C.S.A. The Alice Vivian was sent to Key West, and the men were then sent to New York.

1934 – Nelson English Park at the corner of Thomas and Louisa streets was dedicated, and Samuel J. Welters was the speaker for the event. The park was named for Nelson English, who worked for the post office for more than 20 years and was Key West postmaster from 1882 to 1886.

1945 – Harold Colee, executive vice president of the Florida State Chamber of Commerce, presented a centennial plaque to William Curry & Sons of Key West. William Curry & Sons, founded in 1843, was one only three businesses in the state that have been in continuous operation for more than 100 years.

1946 – Cameron Troxel, an employee of the submarine base, caught a “granddaddy” crawfish measuring 38½ inches long in Key West Harbor. It was one of the largest ever taken from Keys waters.

1952 – The City of Key West announced that the Gulf Atlantic Transportation Company had accepted the city’s offer of $150,000 for the purchase of Mallory Docks. The reason for the purchase was to provide adequate docking space for the proposed Havana-Key West Ferry.

1963 – Royal Castle opened its first Key West restaurant at the corner of North Roosevelt Boulevard and Fifth Street.

1984 – The freighter Wellwood was pulled off Molasses Reef after 12 days of work. The reef was damaged by both the grounding and the efforts to free the ship.

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

Image: Curry & Sons building on Front Street, ca. 1900. From Ida Woodward Barron Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.