January 1

Procession of autos during President Eisenhower's tour of the Lower Florida Keys on Jan 1, 1956.

1838 – Judge Wall awarded an $8,600 fee to Key West wreckers who had salvaged the ship Concord, which had earlier grounded on the Florida Reef. To cover the expenses, 419 bales of cotton from the ship’s cargo were auctioned. The Concord then continued its journey to England.

1915 – The 52^nd anniversary of emancipation was observed by Key West residents, under the auspices of the Emancipation Committee, James N. English, president. A parade of floats, schoolchildren carrying American flags, and members of the Grand Army of the Republic went through the streets. The procession concluded at Samaritan Hall on Whitehead Street for a program of speeches and song.

1921 – The Casa Marina Hotel, manager L.P. Schutt, was formally opened for its first season, which would run until April 1.

1954 - The first Florida Keys baby of 1954, Mark Lawrence Miller, was born at 12:01 a.m. at the clinic of Dr. Aubrey Hamilton, 622 Eaton Street. Proud parents were Marilyn and Harvey Miller of Big Pine Key.

1956 – President Dwight D. Eisenhower, accompanied by his wife and mother-in-law, enjoyed a two-hour drive up the Keys along U.S.1. The group departed from Key West’s Little White House for the journey.

1976 – Key West’s New Year’s celebration was marked by violence. Police and merrymakers clashed on Duval Street, and fire hoses and tear gas were used to disperse the crowd. A total of 114 people were arrested, and eight were injured.

1985 – City Electric System and Florida Keys Electric Cooperative reached an agreement for the transmission of electricity from the mainland grid to Key West over the Florida Keys lines.

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

Image: Procession of autos during President Eisenhower's tour of the Lower Florida Keys on Jan 1, 1956. The car bearing the Chief Executive leads the group, with a vehicle full of Secret Service men just behind. The Scott DeWolfe Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.