January 7

Army HAWK missiles in Key West circa 1970s.

1899 – Juan D. Poyo announced he was moving the Spanish language newspaper “El Yara” to Havana. “El Yara” had been published in Key West for 20 years and was considered the voice of free Cuba.

1924 – Work began on the construction of the new San Carlos on Duval Street. Paul Boysen was awarded the contract for the new building.

1964 – The Florida cabinet authorized the construction of missile sites by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Boca Chica and Fleming keys. The permanent sites would be used as part of the line of defense against Cuba.

1976 – For the first time since jury trials had been held in Monroe County, four juries were convened at the same time and were hearing or deliberating cases.

1983 – In a 3-2 vote, Monroe County Commissioners approved the development of Port Bougainville, a 2,806-unit hotel and condominium complex to be built on Upper Key Largo.

1997 – A commercial fisherman fishing near Pickles Reef landed a Great White Shark that measured 17 feet long and weighed an estimated 1,500 to 1,800 pounds.

1998 – The Key West City Commission held a workshop to determine new guidelines for the short-term rental issue and how to best enforce any regulations.

2016 – The new Books & Books bookstore opened at 533 Eaton Street. The new store was an affiliate of the original Books & Books in Coral Gables, and it would be operated by the nonprofit Studios of Key West.

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

Image: Army HAWK missiles in Key West circa 1970s. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.