December 23

Phil Peterson's Harley Davidson store at 130 Duval Street, 1950s.

1870 – The first Douglass School for African American children was located on Thomas Street behind the Monroe County Courthouse.

1891 – José Martí arrived from Tampa for his first visit to Key West.

1954 – The Key West Chamber of Commerce opened an anti-noise campaign by sending letters to over 900 motorcycle and motor scooter owners to remind them to properly muffle their vehicles. Visitors had complained that unnecessary street noise negatively affected their time on the island.

1974 – Shrimp trawlers who snagged mines in their nets were advised to radio the Key West Coast Guard base of the situation. Coast Guard personnel would unload the mines at pier D-3 on the Naval Annex, and from that point they would be taken to Fleming Key and exploded.

1976 – The last cases were tried in the Key West Municipal Court. Judge Hugh Papy presided over the final cases, which after the first of the year were assigned to the county court.

1986 – Supervisor of Elections Mary Brown resigned one month after she was re-elected to the office and the Governor appointed Peter Ilchuk to fill the vacancy.

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

Image: Phil Peterson's Harley Davidson store at 130 Duval Street, 1950s. Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.