1880 – Former U.S. President and Army General Ulysses S. Grant visited Key West. A parade was held along Duval Street, and he was the guest of honor at a dinner at the Russell House Hotel.
1912 – “Opening the Over Sea Railway to Key West” was the cover story of Collier’s National Weekly Magazine.
1925 – A report from Key West said, “Bathing conditions have been ideal for the past several days and one of the best crowds of the season was seen on the beach yesterday afternoon. There was just enough surf to make the water delightful, and many aquatic sports were indulged in.”
1940 – The East Martello Tower was opened to tourists. Boys employed by the National Youth Administration served as guides and offered visitors a history of the Civil War-era brick structure.
1953 – The Navy dedicated the baseball field at Naval Station Key West as Walker Field in honor of Key Wester and Marine Sgt. Norris A. Walker, who was killed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945.
1925 – A group of Key Westers traveled by boat to Munson Island to give a surprise party for Mr. and Mrs. Newton Munson. The day was spent in fishing and other pastimes; music was furnished by the Variety Seven Orchestra.
1925 – A group of Key Westers traveled by boat to Munson Island to give a surprise party for Mr. and Mrs. Newton Munson. The day was spent in fishing and other pastimes; music was furnished by the Variety Seven Orchestra.
1875 – Construction began on Key West’s Convent of Mary Immaculate at Key West. The building, designed by architect William Kerr, would become one of the island’s most cherished structures.
1925 – The Key West City Council approved a motor bus service to be operated on the city’s streets by the Key West Electric Company. To test their viability, the buses would initially operate in lieu of streetcars for 90 days. If satisfactory to all, the bus system would then become permanent.
1971 – John Dedek purchased the neglected Fogarty House property at 227 Duval Street in Key West. He later restored the building and opened Dedek’s Restaurant and Cafe.