February 6

The Armory Building at Key West sitting vacant, ca. 1970.

1917 – Polk’s Key West City Directory for 1917/18 listed 16 coffee shops and 11 attorneys in the city.

1926 – Reigning U.S. women’s golf champion Glenna Collett arrived in Key West by steamer from Havana to play on the island against local golf pro Harry Hampton.

1946 – The Key West Humane Society purchased a truck for the transport of ill or unwanted animals.  A $1 service fee for maintenance of the vehicle would be charged for each dog or cat, though strays would be retrieved for free. 

1974 – The Key West Armory building on White Street, newly restored by the Key West Historic Preservation Board, was re-opened. The building was available for rent for $50 per occasion.

1981 – Grace L. Jones of Key West died. For many years she lived and worked in Marathon, and the Grace Jones Day Care Center was named for her to honor her many years of services to the Keys.

1983 – Record-breaking rainfall on top of the worst national economy since the Great Depression cut tourism in January. Business was down between 15 and 30 percent from 1982.

2006 – Artist and Key West native Sal Salinero opened an exhibition of his latest paintings at the Gingerbread Square Gallery on Duval Street.

2016 – The Navy warned drone operators that they could not operate their craft anywhere near the upcoming Southernmost Air Spectacular, whether they launched them from land or sea.

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

Image: The Armory Building at Key West sitting vacant, ca. 1970. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.