1898 – The Red Cross Society’s ship, State of Texas, with nurses and medicine arrived from New York.
1968 – National Air Lines made the first jet landing at Key West International Airport using a Boeing 727. The county had extended the runway and removed obstructions to make the airport usable for jets.
1974 – Film producers J. Arthur Elliot and Peter J. Barton were in Key West to discuss a film loosely based on the life of Captain Tony Tarracino. The production team met with Tarracino, and all were hopeful the project would lead to other movies being filmed on the island.
1984 – A gala party was held at the Key West Art and Historical Society’s East Martello Gallery and Museum to dedicate the museum’s permanent collection of works by famed island artist Mario Sanchez. Mayor Richard Heyman proclaimed the date “Mario Sanchez Day.”
1992 – Police made a gruesome discovery at a home on Southard Street. They found a man who had been dead for two months, and his roommate was unaware he was dead.
1994 – With businesses poised to take a hit, the Key West Chamber of Commerce was working to find a way to keep Fantasy Fest fun and free-spirited after the City of Key West had cracked down on nudity in 1993. “Fantasy Fest last year proved to be a bummer,” said Chamber President Frank Romano.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: A Mario Sanchez “bag” drawing is presented to the Key West Art & Historical Society, January 8, 1983. Left to right Mario Sanchez, Rosa Sanchez and Margo Golan. Standing right rear Kim Golan. Ida Woodward Barron Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.