1595 – A Spanish survey team from Havana reconnoitered the “Bay of Cuchaiga” (Key West Harbor) located at latitude 24° 25′ N, noting that it was nearly a league wide and had a depth of 27 feet, or more, from the entrance into the main body.
1824 – Key West residents heard a reading of the Declaration of Independence, fired cannons at noon, and at 4 p.m. gathered for a dinner that included multiple toasts to many esteemed honorees. After 13 formal drinks, nearly as many “volunteers,” music, and “many other toasts,” they called it an early night.
1853 – To celebrate the Fourth of July, the Sons of Temperance carried banners through the streets, accompanied by a band of one drum, one fife, one bass drum, and a tambourine.
1864 – The Army fired a 35 guns salute (one for each state, including West Virginia) from Fort Taylor in honor of Independence Day.
1876 – The new Key West City Hall on Greene Street was dedicated by Mayor Carlos Manuel de Cespedes. The main address, A History of Key West, was to be given by former mayor Walter C. Maloney. Before he could finish speaking a fire alarm sounded, and the crowd followed the firemen. Maloney’s speech was later expanded and printed as “A Sketch of the History of Key West, Florida.”
1912 – Harris School on Southard Street was dedicated.
1917 – Four Monroe County officials – Judge W. Hunt Harris, Solicitor Roberts, Sheriff Jaycocks, and Constable Knight – were called to Tallahassee to appear before Florida Governor Catts to answer charges of neglect of duty and explain why they should not be removed from office. The hearing was called because of complaints from Navy officials regarding the moral status of Key West, particularly that uniformed men were promiscuously given and sold alcohol and that “disorderly houses were running wide open.”
1957 – Congressman Dante Fascell dedicated the new million-dollar Key West International Airport. George Faraldo, veteran flier, was manager of the new facility.
1994 – Half of the 24-acre Tank Island located off the western end of Key West was consumed by flames, the result of three men using illegal fireworks. The orange glow and smoke-filled sky were visible throughout the night, as the flames were only extinguished at 5:30 the following morning.
Information compiled by Tom Hambright, Historian Emeritus, and Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: An artist drawing of the Key West City Hall dedication July 4, 1876. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.