1915 – Fire destroyed the large cigar factory of E.H. Gato at the corner of Simonton and Virginia streets.

1888 – The construction contract for the Custom House at the end of Whitehead Street was awarded. The structure was completed at a cost...

1849 – The New York Chamber of Commerce sent a memorial to Congress urging the salary of Judge William Marvin of the U.S. District Court...

1887 – The Spanish language newspaper El Yara began publication in Key West. 1897 – Extremely high tides in the Upper Keys destroyed...

1899 – Annie Fay, a white woman, and Will Harrison, a Black man, were convicted in the criminal court at Key West for having married....

1895 – The Key West sponge schooner Shamrock sank off St. Marin’s Key and six of the 14-man crew were lost. 1908 – James Miller, a Key...

1828 – The first term of the Superior Court Southern Judicial District of the Territory of Florida was held in Key West. 1953 – A...

People dressed up as plants on a parade float. 1852 – Key Wester James C. Clapp opened a hotel called The Ocean House at the corner of...

1912 – Over 300 Key West property owners attended the City Council meeting to protest the new tax assessments, which they complained...

1912 – While driving a Key West Gas Company truck down Fleming Street, Maitland Knowles was struck in the eye by a rock thrown by a boy,...

1909 – The Monroe County Commission approved a contract with E.T. Crittendon to install a sewer line running from the courthouse to the...

1902 – A shark measuring 15 feet was caught from Curry’s Wharf near the harbor end of Simonton Street. 1915 – Alfred Atchinson, Denham...

1828 – The lighthouses at Key West, Sand Key, and the Dry Tortugas were low on oil and could make only “a very indifferent light.” It...

1861 – Major William H. French issued an order that all male citizens of the island must take an oath of allegiance to the United States...

1909 – Twelve Overseas Railroad workers were killed and 17 badly injured when 700 pounds of dynamite accidentally exploded at Boca Chica...

1916 – The Thompson Fish Company of Key West was adding new boats to its fleet in preparation for the fall and winter seasons. The...

1924 – The Monroe County School Board was prepared to open a school at Flamingo on the mainland, if it could be proved that ten children...

1941 – Mom’s Tea Room near Fort Taylor was raided, and three women were arrested for prostitution. 1954 – Key West City Manager Victor...

1950 – Thousands of fish were found in Key West streets after a heavy rain. Most of the fish were along Caroline Street between William...

1884 – William Whitehead died in New Jersey at the age of 74. He had come to Key West with his brother John, who owned a quarter...