December 30

Key West State Bank at 1201 Simonton Street, ca. 1965.

1900 – The Key West Golf Club was organized with a large attendance. Jefferson B. Browne was elected president.

1932 – Karl O. Thompson, sheriff-elect, who took office on January 3, 1933, announced he had appointed seven deputy sheriffs to serve the county. The deputies were Clements Jaycocks, Leon Roberts, Enrique Mayg, Jack Sauerhoff, Dave Curtis, C.O. Garrett, and Harold Cates.

1936 – At the beginning of the year the Key West Citizen promised to give the Library $5 for every day the sun did not shine. This only cost the paper $5, as only on March 9 the sun did not appear.

1954 – A request for bids on the construction of a new state bank building was issued. The building, to be located on Simonton Street between Catherine and Louisa, was to be of an “ultra-modern” design with native stone, granite, and terrazzo construction.

1983 – Jack C. Watson, 69, died at Marathon after a long illness. He was retired manager of the Key Deer Wildlife Refuge. He had been the federal game warden on Big Pine Key since 1962 and was credited as being the person who saved the Key deer from extinction.

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

Image: Key West State Bank at 1201 Simonton St., ca. 1965; Tract 11, Sqr 7, Pt Lot 2, Sub 1-12. Photo taken by the Monroe County Property Appraiser's office. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.