May 19

Joe Liszka (L), Susan Hawkens (C), and Frank Romano (R) in Key West on November 6, 1987.

1857 – The steamer Atlantic arrived at Key West under a new contract with the Harris & Morgan Co. to carry mail between the island and New Orleans. The Atlantic would be joined by the steamer Calhoun in the semi-monthly service.

1913 – Agustin Orduan Parla, a Key West native, flew his seaplane to Cuba, becoming the second man to fly across the Florida Straits.

1932 – The Key West City Council notified the American La France Company that it had no money to make payments on the $1,600 note due for the Fire Department’s Engine No.1.

1945 – The Florida State Census of 1945 was completed, and it showed Key West had a population of 18,755.

1968 – The Navy announced that the Ship Repair Department of Naval Station Key West would be closed by April 30, 1969. The closing would affect 230 civilian and military workers.

1976 – Mayor Charles “Sonny” McCoy cut the ribbon to open the Woolco store in Key Plaza shopping center.

1986 – Monroe Circuit Court Judge Helio Gomez declared Joseph “Bum” Farto to be legally dead after 10 years of “diligent search and inquiry.” Farto, the former Key West Fire Chief, had been convicted in a drug scandal and missing since February 1976.

2011 – Key West businessman and philanthropist Frank Romano died at 88. Romano and partner Joe Liszka founded the popular Key West Aloe cosmetics company, and they were instrumental in the creation of Fantasy Fest. Romano also led the charge for a formal Keys tourism marketing program and the “bed tax” that now funds the local Tourist Development Council.

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

Image: Joe Liszka (L), Susan Hawkens (C), and Frank Romano (R) in Key West on November 6, 1987. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.