September 2

Veterans Camp at Upper Matecumbe. From the Postcard Series 'Views of Storm Struck Florida Keys Following Hurricane of 1935.'

1899 – Five new cases of yellow fever and one death were reported at Key West. The War Department was trying to remove soldiers from the island but faced difficulty in doing so because of the strict quarantine.

1920 – A report issued for August showed Key West factories made an average of 337,000 cigars every day during the month. Nearly 6 million were of the 15-cent grade, and 2 million were of the 20-cent variety. The robust sales indicated the Key West cigar industry was “in a flourishing condition.”

1930 – The Key West Citizen printed the first edition from its new building on Greene Street at the corner of Ann Street.

1935 – The most intense hurricane to hit the United States passed over Long Key and Lower Matecumbe Key. The category five storm had a barometer reading of 26.35, winds estimated at around 200 mph, and tides 18 to 20 feet above normal. The storm killed over 400 people, many of them WWI veterans employed in building new highway bridges, and put the already financially troubled Overseas Railroad out of business.

1940 – Gloria Suarez was selected “Miss Key West” at the Martí Lodge’s annual Labor Day Fiesta. The 15-year-old was sponsored by Appelrouth’s store, which awarded her an evening dress ensemble for her success. Suarez also received a $12 pair of roller skates from the local rink.

1955 – Gardner Cowles, publisher of Look Magazine and the Des Moines Register, bought 183 acres on Cudjoe Key for $83,000. Cowles and business partner David Salzman planned to develop the property into vacation homes for friends and business associates from New York and the Midwest.

1979 – Hurricane David passed east of Key West with little local effect. Notably, for the first time, the Governor recommended all residents of the Florida Keys evacuate due to the potential effects of a hurricane.

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

Image: Veterans Camp at Upper Matecumbe. From the Postcard Series 'Views of Storm Struck Florida Keys Following Hurricane of 1935.' Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.