May 27

Higgs Beach on May 19, 2006.

1905 – Sheriff Frank Knight took Simon Reyes to the state prison. Reyes, who was found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend, was originally sentenced to hang but the Governor commuted his sentence to life in prison.

1926 – Governor John W. Martin announced that Chief of Police Cleveland Niles was appointed sheriff of Monroe County to fill the unexpired term of the late Sheriff Roland Curry. Mayor Leslie Curry appointed Ivan Elwood to replace Chief Niles.

1936 – The Federal Emergency Relief Administration was reducing its operations and notified Key West that direct assistance for aged, infirm, or otherwise unemployable residents would soon fall to the community. The local Social Welfare District representatives hoped civic organizations, businesses, and private citizens would offer aid to the needy.

1937 – Governor Fred Cone appointed State Senator Arthur Gomez to fill the unexpired term of the late Jefferson B. Browne as circuit judge for the 11th judicial circuit.

1955 – Edward B. Knight and Jack N. Thompson opened K-T Motors, Monroe County dealers for Volkswagen cars and trucks.

1967 – The 6th Battalion (HAWK) 65th Artillery dedicated and re-named its four batteries to four Key West Army men killed in Vietnam: Peter Knight, Richard E. Recupero, Florentino Roque, and Eckwood Solomon.

2001 – County-owned Higgs Beach Park needed a $2 million renovation, prompting many to wonder whether Monroe County should hold and maintain a park that is entirely within the city of Key West. Monroe County Mayor George Neugent felt the money could be better spent on recreation facilities in unincorporated areas of the county.  

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

Image: Higgs Beach on May 19, 2006. Dale McDonald Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.