March 21
- Florida Keys History Center
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
1898 – Two unidentified bodies recovered from the Battleship Maine were buried in the Key West City Cemetery.
1936 – The Key West office of the Works Progress Administration announced that all purchases of supplies would be made locally, depending on availability. The new policy was expected to add at least $2500 in sales to island merchants every month.
1950 – The U.S. Weather Bureau in Key West moved from the Naval Station to the federal building at the corner of Simonton and Caroline streets. The Bureau also had a station at the airport.
1956 – Anna Magnani was presented with the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “The Rose Tattoo,” a film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play shot in Key West in 1954.
1956 – The U.S. Bureau of Land Management auctioned 11 publicly-owned keys in the Marathon area for $78,450. Included in the sale were Little Fat Deer Key, Pretty Joe Rock, and other unnamed islets.
1970 – Key West High School’s Bill Butler was named captain of the Class A, All-State Basketball Team by the Florida Sports Writers Association.
1989 – William A. Freeman Jr., former Monroe County commissioner, state representative and sheriff, died at age 59.
1991 – The Winn-Dixie Marketplace opened at the Overseas Market in Key West.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: From left: Burt Lancaster, Anna Magnani's secretary, Tennessee Williams, and Anna Magnani at Williams' Duncan Street home during filming of The Rose Tattoo, November 1954. The DeWolfe and Wood Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
