February 28
- Florida Keys History Center
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
1826 – The French ship L’Adele, carrying cotton and logwood from New Orleans to La Havre, wrecked on the Florida Reef. Most of the cotton was saved and taken to Key West, but the vessel and logwood were lost entirely.
1928 – Adjutant General Vivien B. Collins authorized National Guard units from Miami and Key West to Matecumbe Key to quell disturbances caused by striking veterans employed on FERA bridge projects for the Overseas Highway.
1953 – The Islander, Monroe County’s first modern drive-in theater, opened for business on Stock Island with “The Cimarron Kid” starring Audie Murphy and Yvette Dugay as its first film. The outdoor theater had the largest screen in South Florida and space for 600 cars carrying 2,000 patrons.
1961 – While carrying cargo from Havana to Corpus Christi, the Costa Rican freighter Titan stopped in Key West to discharge 15 stowaway Cubans. The refugees were turned over to immigration authorities.
1963 – Rear Admiral Rhodam Y. McElroy, Commander of Key West Forces, was presented the Legion of Merit for his meritorious performance of duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
1964 – Arthur Godfrey, TV and radio star, was visiting Key West as guest of John and Mary Spottswood.
1983 – Key West’s Mary Immaculate High School in was threatened with closure unless enough funds could be raised as a show of the community’s good faith, as demanded by the archbishop.
1996 – The Key West High School Conchs baseball team was ranked number one in the nation by the USA Today newspaper.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Inspection by Admiral R.Y. McElroy in front of building 124 at Naval Station Key West in the early 1960s. From Ida Woodward Barron Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
