October 18
- Florida Keys History Center
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
1899 – Mortimer Falk, senior member of the firm of S. Falk and Sons, met a committee of striking cigar workers from his factory and after a lengthy discussion agreed to the demands of the strikers. The prices paid by the Gato Factory and Ferdinand Hirsch Factory were adopted for use by the Falk Factory.
1906 – A category 2 hurricane crossed the Upper Keys causing damage to the Overseas Railroad under construction. The storm hit the railroad construction crew without warning, killing 164, most when the houseboats in which they were living were carried to sea and sank.
1922 – Robert Gabriel, an African American, died in Key West. He had served as State Representative for Monroe County and was a Key West City Commissioner for six years.
1930 – Renowned French scientist Georges Claude visited Key West with his family. Claude was best known for devising the process by which to liquefy air and his invention of neon tube lighting.
1960 – A juvenile cayman, or “tropical alligator” was found on the heliport ramp at the Trumbo seaplane base. Navy personnel captured the creature and turned it over to the Key West Aquarium.
1995 – The dilapidated structure of Key West’s famed Turtle Kraals Soup Cannery collapsed into the waters of the Key West Bight. The city rebuilt the building, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
2010 – The Florida Park Service was spending $400,000 to renovate John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in anticipation of its 50th anniversary celebration in December.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Key West Turtle Kraals cannery building at the foot of Margaret St., ca. 1965; built ca. 1930. Sqr 10, Lot 1. Photo taken by Property Appraiser's office. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
