1885 – The Florida State Census showed the largest employer in Key West was in the cigar industry, which had 2,035 workers.
1924 – The first batch of concrete for the walls of the San Carlos Opera House was poured. Forms for other parts of the building were in place and the concrete for those sections would be poured in a few days.
1925 – A great influx of travelers was arriving to Key West by train: 225 arrived the previous night; 350 on the morning train; and 300 Shriners visiting from around the country in the afternoon. Hotels and restaurants could barely keep up with the demand.
1960 – The nematicide “Nemagon” was being touted by the Key West Garden Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Florida Department of Agriculture as the remedy for the lethal yellowing disease that killed hundreds of island coconut palms over the previous three years.
1975 – The former Naval Station Key West was rededicated as the Harry Truman Annex of the Naval Air Station. Former State Senator John Spottswood was the main speaker.
1986 – Edwin L. Castro was named Key West Fire Chief.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: San Carlos Opera House Key West, Bardell Miniatures, 1925. Haffenreffer Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.