January 9

Two men looking at a new poster for the Van Heusen Company's Key West-themed advertising campaign, ca. 1960.

1846 – A Key West correspondent wrote, “There is an unusual stagnation in business at this time, but like all other communities, we are looking and hoping for better times.” 

1936 – A division of the Federal Writers' Project was started at Key West under the direction of Albert C. Manucy. The goal of the project was to produce a volume about the Keys for the “American Guide” series, which would provide visitors with a wide array of information about the islands.

1946 – The Navy announced that a submarine squadron consisting of one tender and 10 submarines would be based in Key West. The ships had 1,200 personnel.

1956 – President Dwight D. Eisenhower left Key West for Washington after having spent a 12-day recuperative vacation at the Little White House. “The doctor tells me that what he calls my vital capacity is very much improved,” said Eisenhower.

1961 – Stanley G. Gillette, vice-president of the Van Heusen Corporation and a prime mover in the company’s new Key West-themed men’s sportswear fashion campaign, was given the key to the city by Key West Mayor Delio Cobo.

1970 – Alfred L. Rahming, a Key West city employee, was given the Air Force Exceptional Service Award for Heroism for saving Teresa Tucker from drowning.

2014 – A magnitude 5.1 earthquake, centered off the Cuban coast 110 miles southeast of Key West, caused buildings throughout the Florida Keys to shake.

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

Image: Two men looking at a new poster for the Van Heusen Company's Key West-themed advertising campaign, ca. 1960. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.