April 11

A steamer at Mallory Docks, Key West, ca. 1920.

1901 – N.M. George on the yacht Privateer, fishing in the Bahia Honda channel, landed a tarpon that weighed 213 pounds and measured 7 feet 2 inches in length and 46 inches around.

1930 – After having explored a change in routes, the Mallory Steamship company announced that existing service between Key West, New York, Mobile, and Tampa would remain. This would allow lucrative shipments of Key West goods to New York, as well as passenger service, to continue.

1938 – Mazie Butler, nurse-in-charge at the Monroe County Community Clinic, reported that for the first quarter of the year there had been 28 positive cases of tuberculosis, seven suspected cases, one inactive case, and two deaths from the disease.

1947 – Four Monroe County disabled WWII veterans, all amputees, were provided automobiles by Mulberg Chevrolet of Key West. The assistance resulted from a federal law requiring certain disabled veterans to be supplied with automobiles and other conveyances.

1970 – An episode of a national television series “Discovery ’70,” titled “Discovery Goes to Key West,” aired in the Keys on WPLG channel 10. The popular travel and exploration program looked at Key West and the Dry Tortugas.

2010 – After a five-year effort by multiple government agencies to clear the area of illegal dwellings and derelict boats, the makeshift fishing village stretching alongside the road near Card Sound Bridge was largely gone.

Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.

Image: A steamer at Mallory Docks, Key West, ca. 1920. Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.