May 25

Fort Taylor in the 1950s. President Truman's beach can be seen on the far side of the fort.

1887 – Key West was home to 182 cigar manufactories that had shipped over 52 million cigars and generated $300,000 in internal revenue taxes over the previous fiscal year.

1938 – The Red Cross was erecting three first aid stations along the Overseas Highway at Craig Key, Marathon, and Ramrod Key. A trained attendant would be on duty at each station at all times.

1954 – The Navy blimp ZPG-2, the world’s largest at 342 feet long, landed at Boca Chica Naval Air Station after being aloft for more than 200 hours without refueling – a new record. It had traveled from New Jersey and through the Caribbean before landing.

1967 – The Navy announced that Truman Beach adjacent to Fort Taylor was permanently closed, with facilities moved to the Beach Patio area. The beach was closed because recent harbor dredging had carried away most of the sand, making the area dangerous.

1975 – The Swiss Embassy was assisting the U.S. State Department in learning why the Cuban government was holding seven Key West commercial fishermen under arrest in Camaguey. The group of mostly teenage Cuban exiles had left Stock Island, and Cuba somehow later detained them.

1994 – The Key West High School Library was named for Mary B. Trevor, who spent 31 years as head librarian.

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

Image: Fort Taylor in the 1950s. President Truman's beach can be seen on the far side of the fort. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.