November 6
- Florida Keys History Center
- Nov 5
- 2 min read
1910 – A Naval Militia under the command of Lt. Cdr. N.B. Rhodes was organized at Key West. It was the first such unit in Florida, and members would go on to hold weekly drills for two years before disbanding.
1945 – In the Key West election, William Demeritt had the highest vote total and was thereby elected mayor. The other commissioners elected were John Carbonell, Hunter C. Harden, W.C. Sweeting and Albert B. Cooper.
1960 – The Cudjoe Key site of the Air Force’s Eglin Gulf Test Range was undergoing final check-outs before its first missile tests. The southern station of the Gulf-wide range was a mix of buildings, trailers, and dish antennae, staffed by 35 personnel.
1961 – Ground was broken for a new Key West City Hall on Angela Street at the corner of Simonton Street.
1966 – The Islamorada Branch of the Monroe County Public Library was officially opened.
1985 – Sheriff Wm. A. Freeman promoted Deputy Nancy Flores to Sergeant of the Road Patrol, making her the first female sergeant in the history of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.
1996 – As a compromise with the Lower Keys Ministerial Association, the Key West City Commission voted to allow the group to organize a private parade for December 7 that excluded gay residents. In turn, on December 14, The City of Key West would sponsor a public holiday parade that was open to all.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Monroe County Public Library at Islamorada on Upper Matecumbe Key, ca. 1965. PB 1-41, Pt Gov Lot 1-2, Sec 32, Pt Gov Lot 2, Sec 33, G4-189p, G6-86. Photo taken by the Monroe County Property Appraisers office. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
