July 17

Rev. Thurlow and Auwina Weed with conch shell horns, Key West, 1976.

1886 – Jefferson B. Browne was named Postmaster of Key West.

1926 – A Florida East Coast train set a speed record by traveling from Key West to Jacksonville in 12 hours and 50 minutes, including multiple stops along the way.

1946 – The Key West City Commission passed new regulations for keeping poultry on the island: A permit from the Monroe County Health Unit was required, and the birds had to be housed in sanitary coops or pens free from odors and breeding flies, and their food had to be inaccessible to rats.

1953 – Because of pressure from the Navy the city of Key West had outlawed “B-girls” that preyed on young sailors. The notorious Mardi Gras Night Club at 92 Duval Street was a repeat violator of the ordinance.

1975 – Anthony Quinn and playwright Tennessee Williams met in Key West to discuss the revival of William’s play “The Red Devil Battery Sign.”

1976 – Key Westers Thurlow and Auwina Weed were bringing national attention to the island art of conch shell horn blowing. The duo had just returned from performing at “Ocean Festival ‘76” in New York, and Thurlow had recently appeared on the popular television program “To Tell the Truth.”

1986 – The Monroe County Library Board presented Betty Bruce with a special award for her work in establishing the Local and State History Collection (now the Florida Keys History Center) in the library. She worked in the library for 20 years before retiring in 1985.

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

Image: Rev. Thurlow and Auwina Weed with conch shell horns, Key West, 1976. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.