September 11
- Florida Keys History Center
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
1861 – Maj. William French of the U.S. Army issued an order that no spiritous liquor or other intoxicating drinks were to be dispensed anywhere in Key West, effective in two days.
1863 – A member of the Pennsylvania 47th regiment wrote from Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas: “Good times here, much sport, fishing, boat races. Frequently catch large sharks, got one twelve feet long the other day.”
1905 – A woman was found wandering through the woods at the eastern end of Key West. She spoke no English, and it was thought she might be from Poland. She was being taken care of in the home of a local family while Immigration Inspector Julius Otto investigated her case.
1925 – Monroe County Commissioners told the Tidewater Construction Co. to proceed with the construction of a high span bridge over Steamboat Creek to connect Key Largo with the mainland, rescinding initial plans to build a drawbridge at that location.
1946 – In a special meeting the Key West City Commission passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of the beach property at the south end of Duval Street. The purchase price was $37,000.
1954 – The Florida Keys were undergoing a building boom: The permit for a two-bedroom $5,800 CBS home at Marathon was the 800th issued by Monroe County for new construction in unincorporated areas in two years.
1960 – Because of the extensive damages from Hurricane Donna, President Eisenhower declared the Florida Keys a major disaster area.
1985 – A poll conducted by the City of Key West’s Planning Department revealed that most residents, though generally approving of tourism, felt the city was growing too much, too quickly. Many felt better controls on development were needed.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: An aerial view of Davis Marathon Motel and Docks and part of Marathon in 1955. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
