August 22

Naval Station Key West Construction, August 23, 1941. Recreation Building, View from Water Tank.

1862 – With yellow fever raging in Key West, and in hope of preventing the spread of the disease, an order was issued declaring no one from there was allowed to land at the Dry Tortugas.

1905 – The cornerstone of the National Bank building at the corners of Duval and Front streets was laid. John T. Sawyer, one of the directors, placed a silver coin under the stone.

1908 – Work was completed on removing the three largest shoals in Key West’s Main Ship Channel. After weeks of blasting, the shoal areas were now 33 feet deep, allowing vessels to pass without interruption.

1909 – The schooner Liberty left Key West headed for Camp Trumbo at trestle no.5 between Long Key and Matecumbe, with material and a force of men to work on the railroad.

1917 – The Key West War Recreation Bureau, under the leadership of Mr. W. Lawton Bates, organized an afternoon automobile tour of the island for convalescing soldiers and sailors. 

1941 – Naval Station Key West was running low on water, as rain had been scant, and the cisterns were nearly dry. Two water tankers were brought from Miami to help fill demand, but rationing was likely if rain did not come.

1972 – Key West native Pete Nebo died at age 62. In the late 1920’s Nebo was of the best flyweight and lightweight fighters in the country.

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

Image: Naval Station Key West Construction, August 23, 1941. Recreation Building, View from Water Tank. US Navy Photo; gift of Wendy Tucker. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.