January 9

The submarine tender USS Bushnell (AS15) and five submarines alongside, at Key West, ca. 1950.

1827 – Construction began on the first lighthouse on Sand Key. The 60-foot brick structure would be completed in 70 days.

1925 – The Casa Marina’s first skeet shoot of the season was held. High winds made for “choppy,” targets, though, and perfect scores were an impossibility. 

1946 – The U.S. Navy announced that a submarine squadron consisting of one tender and 10 submarines would be based in Key West. The vessels required a total of 1,200 personnel.

1953 – Key West was hit by a severe storm with winds of 55 m.p.h. downtown and rain of 3.38 inches.

1966 – Bishop Coleman F. Carroll dedicated St. Peter’s Mission on Big Pine Key.

1999 – The inaugural Key West Storytelling Festival opened at Mallory Square with seven storytellers sharing their skills. It was expected to become an annual event.

2000 – Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlor franchisees held their annual meeting in Key West, and the 300-strong group built a new playground at Wesley House as an act of goodwill.

Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.

Image: The submarine tender USS Bushnell (AS15) and five submarines alongside, at Key West, ca. 1950. Jeff Broadhed Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.