July 29

Betty Bruce, founder of the Florida Keys History Center of the Monroe County Public Library, ca. 1960.

1831 – The British ship Sylvia from Jamaica ran ashore and later burned off the Dry Tortugas. It was said the captain was intoxicated when he ran onto the shoal, and when he saw two vessels approaching, he mistook them for wreckers and swore he would burn his ship before they could have it. He then torched the Sylvia, and it burned to the waterline.

1925 – A 61-acre tract of land on Big Pine Key facing Munson’s Island sold for $66,935, the highest amount ever paid for land on that key.

1939 – Electric generators were installed at Carysfort Reef, Sombrero Key and American Shoals lighthouses, and electric lights would replace the incandescent oil vapor lights that had been in use since 1910.

1958 – The Key West Housing Authority announced that the housing project on Whitehead Street would be named for Robert Gabriel. Gabriel, an African American, served as state representative from Monroe County in 1879 and on the Key West City Commission from 1905 to 1909.

1960 – Betty Bruce proposed that a collection of pictures, maps, and books telling of the history of old Key West would be a worthy addition to the Monroe County Public Library, and she encouraged local persons to donate such materials “so that a real Key West historical corner could be established.”

1982 – The Key West Little Major League All Stars defeated West Palm Beach to win the Florida Little Major League crown for the second year in a row.

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

Image: Betty Bruce, founder of the Florida Keys History Center of the Monroe County Public Library, ca. 1960. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.