1884 – There were 645,000 cigars, 14 bales of sponge, and 112 hides shipped from Key West to New York over the previous week.
1904 – Herbie “Dutchy” Melbourne was convicted of the murder of Key West police officer Clarence Till and sentenced to be hanged.
1947 – A brief, violent storm with winds of 86 mph at Boca Chica struck the Lower Keys. The storm left most of the city without electric and telephone service.
1964 – An urgent plea was sent by the Old Island Restoration Foundation to Bishop Coleman Carrell of the Miami diocese to save the historic Mary Immaculate Convent building. The much-loved structure was used as a school, and the diocese had plans to demolish it “to improve educational facilities.”
1977 – The Florida Keys Community College Board of Trustees voted to name the College’s Fine Arts Center for renowned playwright and Key West resident Tennessee Williams.
1987 – Jimmy Buffett held a benefit concert for Save the Salt Ponds and Reef Relief at Key West’s Wickers Field before a sell-out crowd.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The Convent of Mary Immaculate in 1965. Photo by Raymond L. Blazevic. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.