October 3

Key West Salt Ponds and South Roosevelt Boulevard in July 1985.

1898 – The Monroe County Public Schools opened for the year with 1,227 students.

1910 – The body of General Francisco Vicente Aguilera, who had died in New York in 1877, arrived on the Cuban revenue cutter Yara. He was given full military honors by the Naval Station and a memorial at the San Carlos. After the services the remains were taken to Cuba for burial in his hometown of Bayamo. The General was a hero of the 1868 revolt led by Manuel Carlos de Cespedes.

1925 – In a letter to the Key West Realty Board, Chamber of Commerce President Dr. J.Y. Porter said sufficient housing was the most important matter facing the community, and he encouraged investment in apartments and hotels.

1935 – The Works Progress Administration offered to help rebuild and repair the hurricane-damaged highway ferry slips at Matecumbe if Monroe County would contribute $12,000 toward the effort. County officials responded that they had no money.

1960 – Kathleen Davison was sworn in as clerk and matron and as the first woman to serve on the Key West Police force.

1974 – Circuit Judge M. Ignatius Lester ruled that the Key West city clerk must proceed with certifying signatures on the petitions to put two anti-high-rise issues on the ballot.

1985 – The City of Key West listed privately owned areas of the Key West salt ponds as desirable for purchase by the State of Florida under its Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program. Many residents considered the ponds to be the last remaining natural expanse on the island.

Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.

Image: Key West Salt Ponds and South Roosevelt Boulevard in July 1985. From the Bill Westray collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.