October 18
1885 – The schooner Louisa Frazier, carrying coal from Philadelphia to Mobile, ran aground near Rebecca Shoal. The vessel could not be saved and was stripped by wreckers.
1906 – A category 2 hurricane crossed the Upper Keys causing damage to the Overseas Railroad then under construction. The storm hit without warning, killing 164 of the railroad construction crew, most when the houseboats in which they were living were carried to sea and sank.
1936 – The Welters Cornet Band, under the direction of Geo. A. Dean, performed a Sunday concert at Key West’s Jackson Square.
1966 – The first Democratic Party headquarters in the Upper Keys opened at Islamorada. Local politicians and businesspeople, led by County Commissioner Harry Harris, were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The headquarters would be manned by Grace Dawley.
1976 – The Island Imports store at 111 Whitehead Street in Key West suffered a devastating early morning fire. The building’s contents were destroyed, and the wood frame structure was heavily damaged. A firefighter was injured by falling lumber.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The Island Imports store, 111 Whitehead Street at the intersection of Greene Street, Key West, ca. 1970. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
