September 26
1933 – The lighthouse on Tennessee Reef was lighted for the first time. The new light was 40 feet above mean high water and could be seen for 15 miles.
1936 – The Interstate Commerce Commission approved a request by the Florida East Coast Railroad to abandon the Overseas Railroad. This action cleared the way for an automobile highway to be built over the railroad’s right-of-way and bridges.
1937 – Captain Philip Cosgrove retired after 47 years with the Lighthouse Service. He was master of the lighthouse tender Ivy at the time of his retirement.
1958 – Capt. Johnny West, representing the Key West Charterboat Association, offered plans to Key West city commissioners for a new marina at Garrison Bight. A 55-foot-long concrete building, concession area and restaurant, restrooms, a fuel dock, and new concrete piers were proposed.
1976 – Over a period of two weeks, plant thieves had struck at Key West and stolen “chicken gizzard” aralias from yards across the island. One homeowner returned from vacation to find 80 of his plants were gone.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Charterboat captains Johnny West, left, and Jackie Key in 1953. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
