1833 – A fire started in the house of Captain Pardon C. Greene and destroyed an adjacent hotel and six houses, together with the money sent to purchase the cargo of the Pulaski, which had wrecked on the reef. Loss was estimated at $50,000.
1924 – A survey of Key West tourists showed that yellowtail snapper prepared in the “Spanish style” was their favorite fish, with mackerel coming in second. Grunts earned an honorable mention.
1925 – The School Board authorized the installation of drinking fountains in Key West’s public schools. “The necessity of the fountains has long since been felt,” they noted.
1963 – The State Park Board announced the receipt of the 61 acres on Bahia Honda Key given by Monroe County for a new park, which, combined with land already held by the state, totaled 74 acres.
1999 – After a five-year overhaul of the area, Key West celebrated the grand opening of the city-owned Key West Bight Historic Seaport. A yacht race and music and parties at various waterfront bars and restaurants were featured events.
2000 – More than 100 dolphins stranded themselves on shallows near the of the City of Layton. Volunteers worked to get the creatures back to deeper water, but 25 perished before they could be helped.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Key West Bight, 1996. Photo by Ty Symroski. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.