1915 – With improved firefighting apparatus and increased efficiency by the Key West Fire Department, insurance rates were dropped on...

1862 – To combat a growing yellow fever outbreak, orders were issued that all streets and public grounds were to be kept clean and free...

1880 – The American Shoals Lighthouse was first lighted. 1924 – The Florida State Board of Health notified the City of Key West that...

1861 – Judge McQueen McIntosh, who had been appointed District Court judge by the Confederate States, arrived in Key West to hold court....

1861 – Key West Mayor John P. Baldwin was removed from office when Florida officials were removed because of secession. 1893 – It was...

1862 – A “distillery machine” brought from New York was employed at Fort Taylor to convert seawater to freshwater, and it was providing...

1901 – Mrs. William Curry, widow of the late millionaire, died at age 72. She was born at Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas. 1949 – General...

1861 – Lt. T.A.M. Craven of the USS Crusader said of Key West, “Nearly all of the offices of this town are now filled by violent...

1858 – Sombrero Key Lighthouse was first lighted. 1865 – The Key West Literary Association honored Major Benjamin C. Lincoln, commander...

1862 – U.S. troops at Key West were flouting postal protocol by smuggling their letters via Spanish “fruit sloops” to Havana, from where...

1829 – The New York Enquirer reported that over 10,000 bushels of salt had been produced at the Key West salt ponds over the previous...

1824 – An unlit beacon, 49 feet high, was erected on “Porpoise Island” (Sand Key) to warn mariners of the reef. 1892 – The Electric...

1897 – Extremely high tides on Key Largo destroyed thousands of tomato plants and other winter vegetables on the upper Keys. 1920 – The...

1836 – The Rev. Robert Dyce, Episcopal missionary at Key West wrote, “…there is a general desire in this place to be informed on...

1799 – While sailing near Key Largo, Andrew Ellicott wrote,” …about 3 o’clock A.M., I was called up to see the shooting of the stars....

1841 – The schooner Columbia , sailing from Boston to Mobile, wrecked at Mangrove Key, 9 miles from Key West. The passengers and cargo...

1863 – The USS San Jacinto of Key West’s East Gulf Blockading Squadron captured the steamer Lizzie Davis while it was sailing from...

1826 – John Adams, a sailor on the schooner William Ross , stole $1,600, clothing and a whale boat worth $150 from the schooner while at...

Abe Sawyer, circa 1900 1823 – A hospital, Marine barracks, and two public storehouses had been completed at Thompson’s Island [Key...

Peacon grocery store on Fleming Street, Key West 1767 – The brig Apollo , sailing from Honduras, was wrecked at Key Largo, the vessel...