June 10

Postcard of the Seven Mile Bridge and Pigeon Key, ca. 1960.

1909 – In hope of finding a source of fresh water, S.O. Johnson contracted to have a well dug to 1,000 feet. No fresh water was found.

1925 – The Duchess of Richelieu arrived in Key West to join her husband the Duke, who was already on the island. The couple were guests of Capt. Clark D. Stearns and wife at their quarters in the Naval Station.

1935 – The Federal Emergency Relief Administration’s Sanitary Department was working to exterminate or control mosquitos around the ferry landing at No Name Key. The team was trying larvicides and other preventives to see which worked best.

1955 – The Navy announced new Civil Defense warning signals for the Keys: A steady 3-to-5-minute siren indicated an air attack was likely; a series of short sirens across three minutes indicated an actual air raid; a “red” signal indicated hurricane, fire, or other natural disasters; a “white” signal delivered by phone, radio, or P.A. meant all-clear.

1962 – The Isaak Walton League passed a resolution at its annual convention requesting the Monroe County Commission make Pigeon Key a visitors’ center and marine nature park with facilities for educating children.

1981 – A ground-breaking ceremony was held for the new Wendy’s Hamburgers in Searstown Plaza.

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

Image: Postcard of the Seven Mile Bridge and Pigeon Key, ca. 1960. Gift Theo Victery. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.