1846 – The hull of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Morris, which had been driven into shallow water near Fleming Key in the October hurricane, was sold for $745. The buyer was expected to haul it off and refit it.
1862 – The U.S. steamer Menemon Sanford, bound from New York to Ship’s Island with Union troops and quartermaster’s supplies, wrecked on Carysfort Reef. The men were saved, but much equipment was lost.
1884 – Over the previous week, 720,000 cigars, 3 bales of sponges, 21 crates of tomatoes, 11 crates of oranges, and 92 hides were shipped to New York from Key West.
1928 – Tertulino Bermudez, part of a nine-member hunting expedition from Key West, returned home with a 105-pound deer he had bagged at Big Pine Key.
1976 – The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority hired a firm to design a new water pipeline to run along the new bridges being constructed. The Authority did not have the funds to replace the entire line.
1983 – The FBI and Key West Police Department were guarding Key West Mayor Richard Heyman after a threat to assassinate him had been received by Miami police. Heyman, one of the nation’s first openly gay elected officials, was not scared. “It will be business as usual for me,” he said.
1993 – The new Monroe County Jail on Stock Island was dedicated.
Information compiled by the late Tom Hambright, Historian Emeritus, and Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Key West Mayor Richard Heyman at a Christmas tree lighting. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center