October 10
1924 – A grand pageant and parade were held to celebrate the dedication of the new San Carlos building on Duval Street. The parade contained many beautiful floats, including a replica of the Battleship Maine.
1926 – Monroe County commissioners authorized the purchase of a dump truck, grader, and oil patching machine to maintain the county’s roads with a goal of making repairs before damage by traffic became severe.
1936 – After unveiling a plaque memorializing José Martí at the San Carlos, officials and members of Cuban Navy led by the Cuban Marine Band marched to the Battleship Maine plot in the cemetery where a brief ceremony was held.
1956 – Against the wishes of many Key West residents who hoped to see the building restored, Louis “Luigi” Cellucci, owner of the Caroline Lowe home at 303 Duval Street began demolition of the historic structure. The large, wooden conch house had been damaged in a fire a month earlier.
1976 – The Murphy Pacific Marine Salvage Company announced that its 212-foot vessel MV Curb would continue to be home-ported in Key West and on call for salvage operations along the eastern U.S. and Gulf coasts, as well as the Caribbean. A crew of 30 men were employed on the vessel.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The salvage vessels MV Curb and MV Cable at Trumbo Point dock, ca. 1980. Both were later sunk as artificial reefs. Dale McDonald Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
