May 24

Aerial view of Ed Barry's airstrip and No Name Fish Camp on Doctor's Arm on Big Pine Key, September 1952.

1852 – The new double engine steamship West Wind was offering passage from New York City to Key West for $50 per person.

1893 – Cuban leader José Martí left Key West on the steamer Mascotte bound for New York.

1934 – Dozens of “blackfish” (pilot whales) that had beached themselves around Key West died. The creatures were first seen along the island’s north shore and harbor the day before.

1936 – At the request of the Negro Progressive Club of Key West, Mayor Galey appointed six men – Daniel Clark, Charles Dorset, John Adderly, Edward Burous, Israel Farrington, and Anthony Welters – to conduct special patrols on the island to keep young men and boys from gathering and making trouble.

1953 – The Lower Keys Property Association held a gala “Lights On!” celebration at the Old Wooden Bridge Fishing Camp on Doctor’s Arm, Big Pine Key. Over 400 Keys residents came together to hail the advent of electricity on the island.

1985 – The Secretary of the Navy announced that a new attack submarine being built at Newport News, Virginia, would be named USS Key West.

1987 – Leonte A. Valladares, owner of Valladares and Sons bookstore, died at age 84.

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

Image: Aerial view of Ed Barry's airstrip and No Name Fish Camp on Doctor's Arm on Big Pine Key, September 1952. Copyright Edwin O. Swift Jr. from the archives of Edwin O. Swift III. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.