July 4

Flag raising at Mallory Square on July 4, 1962

1876 – The new city hall on Greene Street was dedicated by Mayor Carlos Manuel de Cespedes. The main address, A History of Key West, was to be given by former mayor Walter C. Maloney. Before he could finish speaking a fire alarm sounded, and the crowd followed the firemen. Maloney’s speech was later expanded and printed as “A Sketch of the History of Key West, Florida.”

1957 – Congressman Dante Fascell dedicated the new million-dollar Key West International Airport. George Faraldo, veteran flier, was manager of the new facility.

1959 – Two former Cuban army officers who had served under Fulgencio Batista, accompanied by a former Havana policeman, arrived at Key West by boat and asked for political asylum. “Freedom is a precious thing, and the Americans all seem so happy on the birthday of their freedom,” said one of the men.

1962 – The U.S. flag was raised over Mallory Square to mark the 140 years since Lt. Matthew C. Perry had first flown it over Key West in 1822. Two boy scouts from Key West’s Troop 258 raised the colors while the Fleet Sonar School band played and Navy and civilian dignitaries looked on.

1963 – A crew of Army men, led by charter captain Hans Baumgarten, caught a hammerhead shark off Fleming Key that measured 12 feet and five inches.

1985 – Key West’s Fort Taylor was opened to the public as a state historic site. Howard England and Ida Barron, historians who had done much to preserve the fort and its artifacts, cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.

1995 – Friendship Park in Key Largo was dedicated by Monroe County and State of Florida officials, with a crowd of hundreds on hand to celebrate. The community park was first proposed by County Commissioner Wilhelmina Harvey in 1978.

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

Image: Flag raising at Mallory Square on July 4, 1962. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.