1899 – Juan D. Poyo announced he was moving the Spanish language newspaper “El Yara” to Havana. The “El Yara” had been published in Key West for 20 years and was the voice of free Cuba.
1907 – The dredge boat George W. Allen had been working continuously for two days to create Trumbo Island. The new land had grown considerably as a result, with much of it above the high-water mark. Engineer Howard Trumbo was confident track to the railroad terminal docks could be laid by the first of May.
1923 – Wireless S.O.S. calls were received at Key West from the German steamer Holsatia, which was aground and in distress two miles southwest of Carysfort Reef. The tug Relief went to assist, and the passengers were safely removed; the Holsatia was pulled into deeper water.
1959 – There were rumors that the boat that brought escaped Cuban Senator Rolando Masferrer to Key West carried $17 million. It was also said a large amount of money arrived on deposed Cuban President Fulgencio Batista’s yacht, brought by seven Cuban Naval officers. A search by U.S. Customs officers revealed slightly more than $90,000 on the Batista yacht.
1952 – Rent stabilization went into effect for all Monroe County residential units, whereby landlords could not charge more than they had been on September 1, 1950. Hotels and other seasonal rentals would be given consideration for variances.
1967 – Florida Governor Claude Kirk arrived at the Ocean Reef Yacht Club on North Key Largo after a two-day cruise on the yacht Security Risk. Kirk was accompanied by Erika Mattfeld, a Brazilian divorcee, which led to much speculation and gossip about their relationship.
1975 – Spurred by recent national press coverage, local interest was renewed in the Japanese “Midget C” submarine displayed at the Key West Lighthouse Military Museum. The sub was part of Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, when it was captured by the U.S. Navy. It had been in Key West since 1946.
2001 – The Key West Citizen began publishing seven days a week.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The two-man Japanese submarine being moved to the Lighthouse Military Museum, ca. 1964. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.