1853 – The steamer Fulton departed Key West for Havana with U.S. Vice-President Wm. R. King on board. King had spent two weeks on the island recovering from health issues and enjoyed “several rides during his stay in our most delicious climate.”
1907 – The City of Key West was striving to make Fleming Street on either side of Duval the “Broadway” of the city. It was thought that with the many stores and heavy traffic in that area, paving the street “would give the appearance of more business-like methods.”
1954 – James Silver of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that the Key deer population was around 90, triple from the 30 that remained in 1950 when protection efforts began. He noted, though, that for a truly successful recovery, lands would have to be acquired as a permanent and safe habitat for the endangered deer.
1954 – The Monroe County Commission approved $100,000 to match state money to build a bridge between Marathon and Key Vaca. The cut had been filled when the railroad was built, and a new bridge would allow the channel to be reopened.
1955 – The Jack Tar hotel chain took over operations of the Florida Keys’ largest resort at Key Colony. The three-year-old, 100-unit resort would be known as “Jack Tar’s Key Colony.”
1979 – In a special election, voters approved the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority accepting a loan of $53.2 million from the Farmers Home Administration for the replacement of the freshwater pipeline from the mainland. The new pipe, tapering from 36 inches to 24 inches, would nearly triple the carrying capacity of the old, 18-inch line.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Fleming Street, looking from Duval Street toward Bahama Street. ca. 1915. Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.