October 30
1899 – Key West cigarmakers formed a union composed of both Americans and Cubans. Even though the Cubans were in the majority, there would be two sets of officers who would alternate overseeing the weekly meetings. To avoid strikes, a team of one Cuban and one American at each factory would report complaints to a general committee, which would make final decisions.
1907 – Key West was grappling with whether to prohibit alcohol or not, and 5,000 residents attended debates at Jackson Square to listen to speakers advocate for both sides of the issue.
1966 – Key West Police received reports that a masked man wearing a hat was jumping out and scaring people along Whitehead Street. Old timers feared it was the resurrection of the “Bonnet Man,” a mysterious figure who had prowled through nighttime Key West years before.
1976 – Under the direction of Circuit Court Judge Ignatius M. Lester, the Florida Keys Marine Institute was organized in Key West. The new school would provide strict, marine-related education programs to troubled or delinquent juveniles to motivate them and guide them to a better path forward.
1991 – Navy officials argued they urgently needed to set off 30 explosions in Florida Keys waters to test mine clearing equipment for use in the Persian Gulf. The charges, ranging from 70 to 1,900 pounds, would be detonated in waters from 25 to 110 feet outside of the newly created Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Last Chance Leon's Saloon on Front Street, Key West, ca. 1900. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
