February 14
- Florida Keys History Center
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
1884 – E.O. Gwynn, a native of the Bahamas, died at Key West. He was one of the island’s early cigar makers, and he served four terms as Mayor of Key West, in 1864-65, 1866-1867, 1874-75, and 1881-82.
1885 – The Florida State Census showed the largest employer in Key West was the cigar industry, which had 2,035 workers.
1937 – At the urging of state WPA officials, the concept for a monument dedicated to the veterans killed in the 1935 hurricane was formalizing. Local WPA supervisor B. C. Moreno said a monument would be built of native rock rising to a height of 30 feet with 14-foot bases, all bearing bronze plaques with suitable inscriptions.
1956 – The Civil Aeronautics Authority offered Monroe County $182,500 for the construction of a new airport terminal building at Key West International Airport. The County was also seeking bids for a new taxiway and runway and lights for night operations.
1977 – Key West singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett released “Margaritaville,” a song partly written on the island.
1998 – The 255-passenger ferry Curry Princess began running from Key West Bight to the Casa Marina Resort with the aim of relieving some of the auto congestion in Old Town.
2016 – A U.S. District Court judge dismissed the claim of the EPW Salvage company for title to a shipwreck in the Middle Keys, saying the group did not provide enough evidence regarding the site. The EPW team claimed they discovered the wreck in shallow water near Duck Key but could not identify it.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The Key West Airport terminal building under construction in 1957. Photo by Jeff Brodhead. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.