June 11

Beverly Avant's 5th grade class at Key West's Harris School, 1978-1979.

1829 – The schooner Rehoboth from Havana grounded at Carysfort Reef, one of many that had struck at Carysfort since the removal of the lightship, prompting shipping interests to call for a replacement light. “We beg leave respectfully to the attention of the proper authorities to this subject,” wrote a correspondent.

1911 – Miss Lovie Turner resigned as principal of the Russell Hall public school, located at the corner of Division and White Streets. She had been a teacher and principal in the Monroe County School System for 31 years.

1953 – The Key West High School Conchs won the State Class A baseball championship with a 7-3 victory over Pensacola’s Tate High School, advancing them to play for the following night’s AAA championship.

1955 – Key West Police fatally wounded a shrimp fisherman in a gun battle at a pool hall at the corner of Whitehead and Petronia streets. Officers Henry Roberts and Howard Harris were wounded in the shootout.

1959 – The Key West High School baseball team won the Class A State High School championship with a 3- 2 victory over Milton High.

1982 – The Harris School on Southard Street in Key West closed after 74 years of being a public school.

1992 – The Turtle Hospital in Marathon was dedicated.

2001 – The Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park was renamed to honor Dagny Johnson, an Upper Keys attorney-turned-environmentalist who had long fought for the preservation of the islands’ natural areas.

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

Image: Beverly Avant's 5th grade class at Key West's Harris School, 1978-1979. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.