May 4
- Florida Keys History Center
- May 3
- 2 min read
1832 – John James Audubon arrived at Key West on the revenue cutter Marion. He would spend a little over one month in the Keys and at the Tortugas painting birds and plants for his book, “The Birds of America.”
1926 – By a tally of 286 to 32, Monroe County voters approved a $200,000 school bond. The money was to be used for an addition to the Monroe County High School and a kindergarten on Reynolds Street in Key West.
1954 – State Representative Bernie C. Papy was re-elected for the 11th time by a record margin of 1,294 votes over his opponent.
1958 – Direct airmail service between Key West and Havana began after Aerovias Q, a Cuban airline, signed a contract with the Cuban government to carry the mail. Previously, Key West mail for Cuba was first taken to Miami, then flown to Havana.
1980 – The U.S. government began airlifting Cuban refugees from the Mariel boatlift out of Key West.
2000 – Long-time Key West resident Marion Stevens died. In the early 1960s, Stevens opened the Artists Unlimited gallery on Duval Street, a focal point of the island’s arts community for the next 30 years. She was also active in Key West politics and was a leader of the successful anti-high-rise movement in the 1970s.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Paul and Marion Stevens greet Hilario Ramos in front of their art gallery at 221 Duval Street, ca. 1965. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
