February 5

1891 – Key West was filled with tourists seeking health and pleasure provided by the island’s mild climate. Boarding houses were filled, prompting many private residents to open their doors to travelers for the first time. Many visitors were forced to continue to Havana for lack of accommodations.

1902 – James Frank was given life in prison for the murder of Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Adams.

1905 – The name of the County Road in Key West was changed to Flagler Boulevard.

1929 – The Navy, using submarine S-4, began testing a submarine escape device known as the Momsen Lung. The tests were conducted near Smith Shoals north of Key West.

1946 – Fred Dion purchased the Stone Hotel at White and Division streets in Key West from Edward Gomez for $28,000. The building had stores on the first floor and hotel rooms and apartments on the second.

1953 — The Key West City Commission approved a resolution changing the name of Salt Pond Road, between Truman Avenue and Virginia Street, to José Martí Drive.

1955 – Construction began on a development at the east end of Flagler Avenue that was named the “Gold Coast of Key West.” The development had over 40 homes with deep water canals suitable for large yachts.

1986 – U.S. District Judge William O. Mehrtens ruled the wreckage of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha belonged to Treasure Salvors, the firm that had found the site 25 miles west of Key West.

---

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

Image: The Stone Hotel Apartments (921 White St.) & Key West Hobby Land model cars racing (925 White St.), ca. 1965 (built ca. 1899). Tract 7, Pt Sqr 1. Photo taken by the Monroe County Property Appraiser's office. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.