May 23

The southern end of Whitehead and Duval Streets, Key West, ca. 1950s.

1828 – After six years of dispute with other claimants of the island, John W. Simonton was declared Key West’s legal owner. Simonton bought Key West from Havana resident Juan P. Salas in December of 1821 for $2000.

1914 – The Greek sponging schooner Amelia from Tarpon Springs burned seven miles off Key West. Four crewmen were rescued. Though no cause was given for the blaze, it occurred amidst the rising anger of Key West sponge fishermen toward their Greek counterparts, who they considered interlopers and resented for using diving equipment.

1956 – The Florida Internal Improvement Board turned down the City of Key West’s request for an 11.48-acre site at the foot of Whitehead Street for the establishment of a recreation area. The city wanted to turn the area into a beach that would be connected to the island by an extension of Whitehead Street.

1960 – Key West City Manager Bazel E. Crowe reported that a city-wide clean-up drive resulted in 240 truckloads a of junk and debris being hauled away. “Many old-timers have told me that this campaign caused more debris to be placed on the streets than ever before,” he said.

1975 – Long-distance swimmer Ben Huggard, on a 165-mile swim from Marathon to Freeport, Grand Bahama, was stung by a man-of-war jellyfish off North Key Largo; soon after his protective cage began to fall apart. Huggard stayed in the water while his crew attempted to repair the structure.

1983 – The Monroe County Zoning Board, in a historic first, voted down a major real estate development in a 4-to-1 vote. Planter’s Point, a 366-unit condominium proposed for Tavernier, was denied.

1997 – Captain Richard T. Steadman died at age 75. Steadman had commanded the cable ship Western Union from 1956, when he relieved his father, until 1973, when the ship was retired from cable work.

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

Image: The southern end of Whitehead and Duval Streets, Key West, ca. 1950s. From the Julius Stone Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.