February 8
- Florida Keys History Center
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
1888 – A ship left Key West for New York with 4,000 crates of tomatoes, most of which had been grown on Key Largo. The produce was consigned to various east coast markets.
1941 – The body of Cecilia Thompson Trunks was found at the infamous establishment on Howe Street known as “Alice Reid’s.” She had been strangled with a silken undergarment.
1946 – Key West City Manager Dave King explained the reasons for recent bar raids on the island: The serving of alcohol past midnight; minors working and drinking in the bars; and fights and the use of profane language by patrons.
1947 – The “Believe It or Not” cartoonist Robert Ripley was visiting the Key West home of Mrs. Jesse Porter Kirke.
1949 – The modern Gulfstream Food Store on White Street opened. The owners of the new grocery were Luis and James Muniz.
1959 – The Southeast Museum of the North American Indian opened in Marathon. The museum was founded and sponsored by the Crane Foundation.
1986 – Key West’s White Street Pier was closed to cars, trucks, and other vehicles after engineers determined the southern end of the structure had deteriorated. Pedestrians and cyclists would still be allowed full access.
2016 - Key West’s La Concha Hotel and the Southernmost Mansion became the two newest members of the Historic Hotels of America, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The iconic island lodging facilities were admitted to the select group without hesitation.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The interior of Sloppy Joe's Bar at 201 Duval Street, Key West, ca. 1950. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
