November 17

President Harry Truman in Key West, ca. 1950.

1831 – Wm. A. Whitehead, Collector of Customs at Key West, reported to Washington about Cuban fishing camps at Charlotte Harbor in mainland Monroe County. He stated there were approximately 250 residents, many of whom had lived there since Spanish rule, who sold their catch to the Havana market.

1929 – Miss Lena Johnson, the first women elected to the Key West City Commission, was defeated in her re-election bid by 40 votes.

1930 – The Granday Canning Company owned by Norberg Thompson began production of guava juice jelly at its new Key West facility with an initial daily run of 400 dozen jars. Thompson hoped to also add pineapple jelly to the line.

1946 – President Harry Truman arrived at Key West to begin his first of many vacations at the Little White House. He stayed for a week.

1961 – Mr. and Mrs. Jack Daniel purchased the home of the late author Ernest Hemingway for a reported $30,000.

1975 – An FBI report showed that crime in Key West had increased 23 percent from 1973 to 1974, primarily because of large increases in burglaries and thefts.

2015 – Monroe County commissioners voted to work with the Florida Department of Transportation in studying the feasibility and impact of a light rail or monorail transportation system through the Florida Keys.

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

Image: President Harry Truman in Key West, ca. 1950. Gift John Simmons. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.