1861 – The steamer Joseph Whitney transferred heavy ordnance from Fort Taylor to Fort Jefferson. The guns were quickly put into position, and with the U.S. steamer Mohawk also stationed there, the place was well able to withstand a siege.
1898 – The Battleship Maine, anchored off the Dry Tortugas, was ordered to sail to Havana.
1912 – Henry Flagler left on his special train at 6:22 a.m., ending his visit for the opening of the Overseas Railroad. It was his last time in Key West.
1935 – An excursion to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas was offered to up to 16 passengers on the Commodore seaplane. The flight would leave Key West at 11 a.m. and return at 3 p.m., giving guests two hours to explore the ruins of the brick fort.
1953 – The cornerstone for the Key West Yacht Club was laid by Charles S. Taylor, commodore of the club.
1973 – Actor Burl Ives was in Key West filming a TV documentary on playwright Tennessee Williams.
2000 – The new Sugarloaf elementary and middle schools complex opened. The $21 million, five-building project had suffered a damaging setback during Hurricane Georges.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: An aerial view of Fort Jefferson, ca. 1930. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.