May 23
- Florida Keys History Center
- May 22
- 2 min read
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.
1934 – More than 20 “blackfish” whales had beached themselves along the boulevard of Key West’s southern shore, and it was supposed they had come into the shallow water to die.
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.
1983 – The new senior citizen center in Marathon was named for senior citizen advocate Mel L. Levitt.
1983 – The Monroe County Zoning Board, in a historic first, voted down a major real estate development in a 4 to 1 vote. The board turned down Planter’s Point, a 366-unit condominium proposed for Tavernier.
1986 – Though there were only an estimated 30 American crocodiles, most of them lived in and around north Key Largo, and many residents there were wary of the large reptiles. Some felt it was unfair that laws protected the crocodiles from humans, but there were none to protect humans from crocodiles.
1991 – Scotty's Builders Supply held a grand opening for its new store at 2811 North Roosevelt Boulevard in Key West.
1995 – Petty Officer Jason Dunn was awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Award for rescuing a man from a capsized boat during the World Championship Offshore Power Boat races in November 1994 in Key West Harbor.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Scotty's Builders Supply store at 2811 North Roosevelt Blvd. on September 1, 1999. Photo by Ty Symroski and Wendy Tucker. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
