September 19

Earl Adams speaks to a group at Key West's Douglass School, ca. 1960.

1911 – William Kerr, Key West’s leading architect, contractor, and builder, died at age 75. His projects included the Monroe County Courthouse, the Convent of Mary Immaculate, the Custom House, the First National Bank building, and his own home at 410 Simonton Street.

1919 – The U.S. Navy Subchaser SC 203 found the wreckage of the Spanish passenger liner Valbanera on Half Moon Shoals. The liner was last sighted on September 9 when it was turned away from Havana Harbor because of hurricane winds. No trace was ever found of the 488 passengers and crew on board the ship.

1925 – George Crittenden and Mario Martinez announced the formation of a “$1,000,000 syndicate” called the Florida Aviation Passenger Service that would provide passenger airline service between Key West and other Florida cities.

1952 – Corporal Henry Carey, U.S. Army, was killed in action in Korea.

1956 – Key West Police arrested eight bar owners and managers for “maintaining a nuisance by allowing loud music offensive to the comfort of neighbors.” City ordinance banned “loud and unnecessary noises” after 11 p.m.

1982 – Monroe County Mayor George E. Dolezal dedicated the new Marathon Branch of the Monroe County Library. Also on hand was former Key West Mayor Sonny McCoy, who located the state funds used to finance the project.

1993 – Earl Adams died at age 90. He served on the Key West City Commission and was Monroe County Clerk of Court from 1949 to 1973. He was also a reporter for the Miami Herald and Key West Citizen and wrote a long-running Key West History column for the Citizen.

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

Image: Earl Adams speaks to a group at Key West's Douglass School, ca. 1960. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.