July 4
- Florida Keys History Center
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
1864 – The Army fired a 35-gun salute (one for each state, including West Virginia) from Fort Taylor in honor of Independence Day.
1876 – The new Key West City Hall on Greene Street was dedicated by Mayor Carlos Manuel de Cespedes. The main address, “A History of Key West,” was given by Walter C. Maloney. A fire alarm sounded before he could finish speaking, and the crowd followed the firemen. Maloney’s speech was later published as “A Sketch of the History of Key West, Florida.”
1912 – The Harris School on Southard Street in Key West was dedicated.
1946 – The Florida Keys observed the first peacetime Fourth of July in five years in a quiet manner, with no public celebrations. All government institutions were closed, and most businesses gave employees the day off, and residents spent the day resting at home, outdoors at the beach, golfing, or fishing.
1957 – Congressman Dante Fascell dedicated the new million-dollar Key West International Airport. George Faraldo, veteran flier, was manager of the new facility.
1966 – Monroe County’s tax rolls were opened before the County Board of Tax Equalization and an unofficial estimate placed the total value at $290 million. Key West’s contribution was “in excess” of $80 million, the lowest proportion for the city’s share in history.
1976 – Key West’s Old City Hall bell was at the East Martello Museum and was available for visitors to ring. Starting at 2 p.m., the time the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, each guest was allowed one peal to celebrate the Bicentennial anniversary.
2014 – The annual Fourth of July fireworks at White Street Pier in Key West were delayed until 10 p.m. because several boats positioned too close to the staging area had to be moved.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Dedication of Key West City Hall on July 4, 1876. From W.C. Maloney's History of Key West, Florida. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
