February 20

617 Duval Street in 1975.

1900 – The Key West Elks Club was established.

1935 – The Audubon Society’s Alexander Sprunt, Jr., aided by King Gomez, completed a survey of the great white heron population between Key West and No Name Key. Sprunt recommended the area be designated a sanctuary for the heron (as well as the white crowned pigeon) and that it be managed by Gomez.

1941 – Key West Mayor Willard M. Albury recommended, and the City Commission approved, installation of parking meters on some city streets.

1960 – The Ted Williams-Key West Tarpon Rodeo was opened by Mayor Delio Cobo and baseball great Ted Williams.

1966 – The Winn Dixie supermarket in Searstown shopping center had its grand opening.

1975 – A representative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development met Key West Mayor Charles “Sonny” McCoy and toured Duval Street with him. The City of Key West had applied for $1.1 million in HUD grants to redevelop the street in time for the 1976 Bicentennial celebrations.

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

Image: 617 Duval Street in 1975. From the archives of Edwin O. Swift III. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.