1830 – Joseph Beverly Browne arrived on the island of Key West from his native Virginia. He was a member of the St. Joseph convention in 1838 that wrote the first constitution for the state of Florida. He also served as U.S. Marshal, Clerk of the U.S. Court, member of the Florida Legislature, postmaster and Mayor of Key West.
1832 – Father Sanson K. Brunot held the first Episcopal services on the Island and the first organized church services in the young city of Key West.
1857 – The Admiralty Court at Key West decided the case of the wreck of the Isaac Allerton and paid the wreckers the largest salvage award ever granted. The payment for the salvage was 50% on a recovered cargo valued at $100,000.
1909 – Key West Mayor Dr. J.N. Fogarty released all the prisoners in the jail so that they might enjoy Christmas day.
1933 – Manhattan Cafe was offering a Christmas dinner of turkey and dressing with all the trimmings for 65 cents.
1952 – Key West musician and Army veteran Edwar Weech surprised everyone at the V.F.W. Hall by playing a Christmas night saxophone solo. Weech had suffered serious injuries to both hands in the Korean War, and it was thought he would never be able to play music again.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: A Key West musical trio, 1960s: from left Freddy Green on piano, Edwar Weech on saxophone, and LaVerne Williams, vocalist. Wright Langley Collection.Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.