January 19

Confederate Monument in Bayview Park, Key West.

1872 – Dr. Daniel Whitehurst died at the age of 65. A native of Virginia, he came to Key West in 1844 as post surgeon at Fort Jefferson. He was mayor of Key West from 1868 to 1869.

1918 – A southbound passenger train derailed 10 miles south of Pigeon Key, with the locomotive plunging down the embankment. A relief train was sent from Key West to remove the passengers. The extent of any injuries was unknown, but no one was killed.

1924 – Key West’s Stephen R. Mallory Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, unveiled a monument in Bayview Park dedicated to those who served in the Confederate Army and Navy.

1956 – The movie “The Rose Tattoo,” filmed in Key West, had its premiere showing at the Strand and San Carlos theaters. Key West resident Tennessee Williams, who wrote the play, was on hand for the opening.

1956 – Members of the Navy’s Underwater Swimmers School were training in the use of high explosives at Demolition Key, located off the northern end of Fleming Key. Key Westers were warned to expect plenty of noise.

1959 – Filming started in Key West on the movie “Operation Petticoat.” The movie starred Cary Grant and Tony Curtis.

1996 – Rear Admiral John E. Shkor, U.S. Coast Guard, relieved Rear Admiral Andrew A. Granuzzo, U.S. Navy, as Commander of the Joint Interagency Task Force East based at the Truman Annex of Naval Air Station Key West.

---

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

Image: Confederate Monument in Bayview Park, Key West. Photo by Jeff Brodhead. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.