January 15

Newton Munson with two ladies on Munson Island (Little Palm Island), 1920s.

1902 – Some of Key West’s leading African American citizens organized a grocery business known as the Mutual Mercantile Company. The officers were: C.F. Dupont, president; Joseph G. Brown, vice-president; Joseph Lang, secretary; and James A. Fleming, treasurer.

1925 – A group of Key Westers traveled by boat to Munson Island to give a surprise party for Mr. and Mrs. Newton Munson. The day was spent fishing and in other activities. Music was furnished by the Variety Seven Orchestra.

1926 – The inaugural meeting of the Monroe County Water Supply Commission was held. The members decided to reach out to the railroad, local governments, and chambers of commerce for ideas and cooperation toward bringing fresh water to Key West and the Florida Keys.

1935 – The first mural for public places painted by artists of the Key West Administration was hung in the Delmonico Restaurant. The mural by Stanley Wood remained the property of the administration.

1956 – The Key West Coin Club was formed at the Bayview Park recreation center by 12 island coin-collecting enthusiasts. Members of the Miami Coin Club also attended to help organize the new entity.

1971 – Roger Foster, who admitted he killed charter boat Captain Douglas Trevor and his son Edward off the Marquesas Keys in 1963, was found guilty of second-degree murder.

1993 – Julian “Yankee” Kee, 82, known to tourists worldwide for selling shells at the Southernmost Point, died.

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

Image: Newton Munson with two ladies on Munson Island (Little Palm Island), 1920s. Gift Ann Gardner. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.