1828 – William Pinckney, Collector of Customs, completed a census and reported Key West had a population of 421.
1893 – The Key West City Directory for 1893 reported the population of the city was 23,000.
1935 – Pete “Kid Indian” Nebo defeated Orlando’s Jimmy Wade by decision in a bout held at Key West High School. Nebo was a Key Wester of Seminole and Cuban descent, and he was considered one of the country’s great featherweight boxers.
1951 – Secretary of the Navy Francis Matthews was the principal speaker at the official opening and dedication ceremony of the East Martello Tower for use as a Museum and Art Gallery by the Key West Art and Historical Society.
1975 – The directors of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority voted to dig a test well in Marathon to see if water could be found that could be treated by reverse osmosis for drinking purposes. It was hoped a new supply could help relieve water shortages in the Keys.
1976 – The Monroe County Commission approved pay raises for 16 employees. The county had more than 300 people on the payroll, including 144 funded under the CETA program.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Key Wester Pete Nebo, sensational featherweight. He fought for the world title against Al Singer, 1929, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.