October 21
1914 – Livingston W. Bethel died in Key West at the age of 69. He had served as Mayor of Key West from 1877 to 1880. In 1880, Bethel was elected Lt. Governor of Florida alongside Governor W.D. Bloxham. Later he served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Criminal Court Judge, and Circuit Court Judge.
1955 – Calling U.S. 1 between Key West and Miami a “killer highway,” a Miami developer called for a superhighway to the mainland. The highway would have two lanes from Key West to Marathon, four lanes to Upper Key Largo, then six lanes to Miami.
1962 – Overnight, the FAA constructed a temporary control tower at Key West International Airport. Many military personnel also arrived in town.
1976 – Hilario “Charlie” Ramos, Jr. sold the Delmonico’s Restaurant building at 218 Duval, and two others at 220 and 222 Duval, for $450,000 to Massachusetts investors. The Delmonico’s business had been in Ramos’ family since 1862.
1991 – A Key West woman shot herself when she reached for an asthma inhaler kept alongside a gun under her pillow. When she needed the inhaler in the night, she accidentally grabbed the firearm instead, and it fired, with the bullet striking her in the jaw. She was admitted to Florida Keys Memorial Hospital in fair condition.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: 218 Duval Street, 1970s. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
