September 16
- Florida Keys History Center
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
1861 – Major Wm. French ordered that, within 30 days, all citizens of Key West were to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. Those who had still not taken the oath after 60 days would be removed, along with their families.
1923 – The new Monroe County High School on White Street (now Key West City Hall) was dedicated before a large crowd in the auditorium. The main speaker was Dr. William R. Warren. Superintendent of Public Instruction Virgil S. Lowe and Contractor B.A. Johnson gave short addresses.
1930 – Mary Harvey Lake died at age 78. In 1917, when the Key West Library was about to close for the lack of funds, she took charge and for the next 10 years ran it without compensation, attending to her duties from early morning to late night.
1933 – It was announced from Washington, DC that the Post Office on Pigeon Key would be closed.
1960 – Emergency repairs to the sections of Florida Keys water pipeline damaged in Hurricane Donna were completed, four days ahead of schedule. Another two days would be required, though, to flush the pipe and stop any leaks.
1994 – Former Key West Mayor Richard Heyman died at age 59, after a long struggle with AIDS. Heyman, who served two terms from 1983- 85 and 1987-89, was the nation’s first openly gay mayor.
2012 – The inaugural “Triple Crown” stand-up paddleboarding race kicked off in Key Largo. The event, sanctioned by the World Paddling Association, allowed professional and amateur racers to collect points across three days, with winners having the highest totals.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Virginia Panico, Richard Heyman and Harry Powell after taking their oaths of office as Key West city commissioners and mayor on November 5, 1987. From the Bill Westray Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
