1901 – The population of South Florida (all the land south of Lake Okeechobee, comprising Lee, Dade, and Monroe counties) was 26,092. The population of Dade County was 4,955 and Lee 3,071, with the rest in Monroe County.
1905 – A large group of Key Westers returned on the steamship Olivette after visiting the fair at Tampa. It was estimated that about 1,000 islanders had gone to see the fair in recent days.
1909 – Thomas Schuler (aka “Terrible Dick”) was in circuit court at Key West for the murder of Sam Smith at Big Pine Key. Schuler pled guilty and begged for the judge’s mercy. He was sentenced to life in the state penitentiary.
1971 – Frank Romano and Joe Liszka opened Key West Fragrance and Cosmetics.
1974 – Author Truman Capote was visiting Key West for several days of fun. The notorious bon vivant was seen driving around the island in David Wolkowsky’s yellow Rolls Royce.
1992 – Vice president-elect Al Gore and his family arrived at Key West International Airport for a vacation at Little Palm Island.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Noted authors Tom McGuane, Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, and James Kirkwood share a laugh at a party in Key West, November 1974. From the Key West Art and Historical Society. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.