September 13
1948 – Sister Louis Gabriel died at the Convent of Mary Immaculate where she had served since 1897. On May 25, 1922, at the dedication of the Grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes, which was erected to commemorate the 25th anniversary of her religious vows, Sister Gabriel prayed that as long as the grotto remained standing Key West would be protected from ravages of a major hurricane.
1951 – The 48-unit Key Ambassador Motel on South Roosevelt Boulevard in Key West was being built, and owner Abraham E. Golan planned to have it open by December 1.
1963 – Long Key residents voted to incorporate a portion of the island as a municipality, approved naming the new city “Layton,” and selected Del Layton to serve as mayor.
1985 – The Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services was studying multiple sclerosis in Monroe County, where as many as 59 cases had been reported. No common links in the cases were found.
2001 – It was announced that Walgreen’s had purchased the Ripley’s Believe It or Not “Odditorium” building at 527 Duval Street in Key West. The former Strand Theater would be refashioned into a variety store and pharmacy, while Ripley’s planned to stay on the island and relocate elsewhere on Duval.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The Strand Theater building at 527 Duval Street, Key West, when it housed Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium, October 1997. Photo by Raymond L. Blazevic. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
