Today in Keys History – July 25, 2024
1863 – In a ceremony at Clinton Place in Key West, the local citizenry presented a $750 gold sword to Colonel Tilghman H. Good, Commander of the 47th Pennsylvania Regiment. Col. Good had earlier rescinded an order that would have banished nearly 600 Key Westers suspected to be Confederate sympathizers to Charleston.
1924 – Monroe County Commissioners signed an agreement with the Tidewater Construction Company to build roads and bridges from Stock Island to Boca Chica, as well as the Saddle Bunches. The company, which had also been awarded a contract for road work at Key Largo, had until August 21 to begin work at both ends of the Keys.
1974 – The Coast Guard was searching for the Key West charter boat Spook, helmed by Capt. Earl Widener and mate Molly DeWitt, which had left Garrison Bight with party of four two days earlier for a trip to the Dry Tortugas. Authorities believed one of the passengers was carrying a rifle.
1983 – Ground-breaking ceremonies were held for a shopping center on Key Deer Boulevard on Big Pine Key.
1990 – Former U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles led supporters on a walk through downtown Key West as he campaigned to become Florida’s Governor.
1994 – A 20-pound Rhesus monkey was caught on Little Torch Key. The animal had likely escaped from Key Lois, where 2,000 such monkeys were being housed and bred for laboratory research.
1997 – Carol MacLaren drew an envelope with the word “yes” to become Layton’s third mayor. MacLaren and Hal Halenza had each received 45 votes in the runoff election and in accordance with Florida law were required draw lots for the winner.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The Clinton Place bandstand at Whitehead, Greene, and Front streets alongside the Key West Naval Station, August 1865. From the Louise White Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.