1906 – A sudden storm with heavy rains and winds up to 60 m.p.h. hit Key West. Some boats were damaged, and two cigar factories were damaged by water after their windows were blown out.
1925 – Florida Keys land prices were skyrocketing: One 27-acre tract on Sugarloaf Key sold for $100 and was then twice resold within weeks, the last time for $800. Proportional increases were recorded for other sales.
1938 – The new Overseas Highway opened, using the old railroad bridges from Lower Matecumbe to Big Pine Key.
1945 – The Army announced that Coast Artillery firing practice would be held in the afternoon from the West Martello Tower in Key West. The range was a triangle-shaped area extending to 11,000 yards south of the tower and at a maximum altitude of 900 feet.
1964 – Former President Harry Truman dedicated a bridge at Duck Key, which was named for him.
1975 - The new East and West Wings of the Monroe County Public Library at 700 Fleming Street in Key West were dedicated. The speaker was Ralph Renick, News Director of WTVJ Television. Tennessee Williams, for whom the new auditorium was named, also attended and spoke.
2010 – Historic Tours of America notified Key West officials that they planned to operate amphibious “duck” vehicles for land and sea tours. HTA had earlier opposed a competing company’s use of the same sort of vehicle.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Tennessee Williams speaking at the dedication of the auditorium of the Key West Library in 1975. From the Ida Woodward Barron Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.