September 21

Damage along Key West's North Roosevelt Boulevard from a Hurricane in September of 1948.

1900 – A meeting was held to organize a board of trade. Dr. J.B. Maloney was elected temporary secretary and a committee composed of Mayor George Bartlum, George W. Reynolds, and W. Hunt Harris was appointed to call on businessmen and urge them to cooperate.

1925 – Key West Supervisor of Registration reminded potential voters that they must present a 1925 poll tax receipt when registering. Many people were mistakenly thinking they could enroll with their 1924 receipt.

1948 – A category three hurricane passed over Boca Chica Naval Air Station, where a barometer reading of 28.45 and sustained winds of 122 mph were recorded. In Key West, the storm caused flooding and damage to boats and trees.

1951 – Key West Mayor Louis M.J. Eisner dedicated the new Wickers Stadium before a crowd estimated at 3,000. The Miami Sun Sox and Havana Cubans played the first baseball game in the stadium.

1960 – The U.S. Department of the Interior approved protective regulations for the Key Largo Coral Reef Preserve, “because of commercial exploitation of the coral structure in the Preserve,” said Interior Secretary Elmer Bennett. No destruction, alteration, or removal of natural or historical resources would be permitted under the new rules.

1975 – George and Maryanne Rockett reopened their popular Underseas, Inc. dive shop in a new location at the former Western Auto store fronting U.S. 1 on Big Pine Key.

1999 – High winds from Tropical Storm Harvey caused Monroe County Schools to close for the day.

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

Image: Damage along Key West's North Roosevelt Boulevard from a Hurricane in September of 1948. Gift Floy Thompson. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.