October 11
- Florida Keys History Center
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
1846 – The Great Hurricane of 1846 struck Key West in the early morning hours, and by noon full hurricane winds were blowing, bringing a storm surge of over seven feet. All buildings on the island were damaged or destroyed, and the lighthouses at Sand Key and Key West were left in ruins. A barometer reading of 27.06 inches was recorded in Cuba before the storm moved north.
1909 – A category 3 hurricane with winds over 100 mph and rainfall of 8.12 inches in five hours struck Key West. Buildings wholly destroyed were the cigar factories of The Ruy Lopez Company, The Martinez Company, George W. Nichols & Company, and Aurelia Torres; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Sparks Chapel; English Wesleyan Church, Bethel A.M.E. Church; Fire Station No.1, Wolfson’s building, and Markovitz’ five & ten-cent store.
1930 – A large automobile touring party from North Carolina arrived in Key West for a stopover before heading to Cuba.
1940 – An exhibition of full color photographs taken throughout Key West by photographer Robert Cook was held at the Key West Art Center.
1950 – Key West received $8,923 as its share of Florida cigarette tax revenue for the month of August. The distribution was the 19th largest in the state.
1960 – Eleven boys attended the first meeting of the Big Coppitt Cub Scouts, with James Stark serving as pack master.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Damage from the 11 October 1909 hurricane. Note on reverse: "Taken just above the Johnson residence which is the prominent building in the picture on North Beach Road. Wardlow residence just back of Johnson residence but not in view." The Heritage House Collection, donated by the Campbell, Poirier and Pound families. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
