1916 – Wealthy U.S. industrialist Andrew Carnegie, accompanied by his wife and friends, was on the houseboat Everglades out of Marathon and captained by A.C. Wallace. The group was traveling though the Middle and Lower Keys on a fishing cruise.
1918 – Fire destroyed the A. Louis pavilion on Key West’s County Road (Flagler Avenue). The pavilion was one of the island’s most popular amusement places. The loss was estimated at $20,000.
1944 – The first National Airlines plane arrived at Key West from Miami to begin tri-daily service. Over 500 people, plus a band, were on hand to greet the aircraft.
1961 – Movie star and night club entertainer Stepin Fetchit, born Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry in Key West in 1893, appeared at Raul’s Club on South Roosevelt.
1967 – Navy officials announced the “ghost town” of abandoned buildings in the 35-acre Poinciana tract, between 16th and 19th streets and Duck and Donald avenues in Key West, would be torn down and replaced by townhouse-style buildings to create 212 new housing units.
1994 – The Monroe County Fair opened for an 11-day run at the waterfront fairground at 2601 N. Roosevelt Boulevard in Key West.
2014 – Monroe County Commissioners approved the use of Tourist Development Council funding for coral restoration efforts in the Florida Keys. “These projects are extremely important to our environment and economy,” said Commissioner George Neugent.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The A. Louis Pavilion on Flagler Avenue, near First Street C 1910. Gift City Electric System. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.