1835 – It was reported that during the previous six weeks, $128,000 of salvaged properties had been sold at Key West, with most of the goods falling under the control of island residents.
1839 – The schooner Port Leon of Bath, Maine, ran onto the reef near Caesar’s Creek at North Key Largo but got off without injury by jettisoning four house frames it was carrying.
1848 – The bark St. Cloud, from Philadelphia to Matanzas, struck the reef 14 miles south of Cape Florida. The vessel was sound, but its copper hull sheathing was damaged, and it had to be hauled out at Key West for repair.
1922 – A. Peterson, owner of a refreshment stand at Emma and Fleming streets, was fined $100 for selling intoxicating liquor after two sailors served drinks there became ill. The beverages were found to have contained denatured alcohol.
1936 – Mollie Parker, supervisor of the Works Progress Administration beautification program, started improving the triangle park at Greene and Whitehead streets in Key West. Pritchardia palms were being planted along the perimeter, pygmy dates and Bermuda grass on the interior, and periwinkles along the side of the fence.
1937 – The Florida Keys Hurricane Monument on Upper Matecumbe Key was dedicated. The Monument was in memory of those who lost their lives in the Labor Day Storm of 1935 and the ashes of 23 of the victims were interned at the site.
1959 – The Monroe County Public Library on Fleming Street was dedicated and Karl Thompson, who donated the land, cut the ribbon as May Hill Russell, the library administrator, looked on.
1998 – Key West Fire Station No.3 was officially shuttered after 91 years of operation. The Grinnell Street building had not been used since September’s Hurricane Georges, which had damaged the roof.
2008 – After more than 10 years of planning and construction, Monroe County officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and formally unveiled the Freeman Justice Center in Key West.
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 Fire Station No.3 at 1026 Grinnell St. c. 1965, Tract 13, Square 2, Lots 12-13. Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center