January 8

Mr. & Mrs. Morgan Dennis with a portrait he painted of her on January 8, 1958.

1828 – The Florida Territorial Council passed the act incorporating the City of Key West.

1911 – The Key West naval wireless station had established daily communication with San Francisco, and on this date received a message from the steamer Sierra, 3,300 miles away in the Pacific Ocean.

1917 – The Ladies Civic Association of Key West voted to support the establishment of kindergarten in all Monroe County schools to help remedy the “little mothers” problem, whereby 8- to 10-year-old girls were forced to stay home and miss school to take care of younger, kindergarten-age siblings.

1918 – The U.S. seaplane No.339, piloted by Lt. S.V. Parker, flew from the aero station at Key West to Punta Gorda, making the 180-mile voyage in just under 3 hours. A throng of hundreds turned out to welcome the “strange craft.”

1958 – An exhibition of drawings and paintings by Key West author and artist Morgan Dennis opened at the East Martello gallery of the Key West Art & Historical Society. Dennis and his wife Margaret were on hand for the opening. 

1976 – Key West City Manager Ron Stack and a Key West police officer were indicted for soliciting bribes from Howard Rosokoff, owner of Howie’s Lounge and Uncle Sam’s Pawn Shop. The two officials were accused of asking Rosokoff for cash to stop the city from revoking his pawnbroker’s license.

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

Image: Mr. & Mrs. Morgan Dennis with a portrait he painted of her on January 8, 1958. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.