Today in Keys History – August 7, 2024
- Keys History Center
- Aug 6, 2024
- 1 min read
1840 – Seminole warriors attacked and burned the settlement on Indian Key, an island community founded by Jacob Housman as a rival wrecking station to Key West. Noted horticulturist and physician Henry Perrine was killed during the raid.
1909 – The Key West Elks hosted a turtle supper at their Duval Street clubhouse. Guests were C.L. Meyer, manager of the P. & O. Steamship Company, and a Mr. Ullman of the community of Planter on Key Largo.
1916 – Dr. John B. Maloney died in Philadelphia at the age of 49. He was born in Key West and received his medical education at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1908, he opened the Louise Maloney Hospital – Key West’s first private hospital. He also served as Mayor of Key West from 1897 to 1898.
1954 – In an effort to clean up Duval Street, Key West Police raided the Preview Lounge and the Cabana Club and arrested two women for strip-dancing and the bar managers for allowing the nudity. “I want a clean town,” said KWPD Chief Bienvenido Perez.
2004 – Detractors complained a proposed dog park near Higgs Beach might pollute near-shore waters. Alternative sites were being proposed, including former Navy property at the Truman Waterfront and city-owned, passive-park land off South Roosevelt Blvd.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The Preview Lounge at 700 Duval Street in the 1950s. Photo from the Jeff Brodhead Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
