February 9

Statue of Henry "Booty" Singleton at Key West Bight, 1995.

1908 – The Rodef Shalom Jewish Temple was dedicated at the corner of Southard and Simonton streets in Key West. Despite a downpour of rain, there were many attendees, both Jewish and Gentile. Rabbi Dr. Shampo delivered the address.

1960 – A commercial census of Key West showed that service-oriented businesses – hotels and rooming houses, personal services, automobile repair, cinemas, etc. – had increased their share of island commerce by nearly 20 percent over the previous five years.

1965 – The Monroe County School Board ordered total integration of all public schools in the county and the closing of the all-Black Burlington Grammar School on Key Largo.

1995 – The statue of Henry “Booty” Singleton at the foot of Margaret Street was dedicated. Singleton once owned most of the Key West Bight and employed more than 2,000 workers in his shrimping business.

2015 – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and regional fishing councils proposed reducing the number of traps allowed for Monroe County spiny lobster fishermen, because they had exceeded 7.3-million-pound catch limit in the previous year’s season. The fishermen did not like the idea.

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

Image: Statue of Henry "Booty" Singleton at Key West Bight, 1995. Dale McDonald Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.