1876 – The Lighthouse on Fort Jefferson was lighted.
1918 – Student aviator Thomas W. Eden was killed, and another student pilot, J.J. Mitchell, was injured when the airplanes they were piloting collided 100 feet above Key West.
1924 – Key Largo residents celebrated the news that the War Department would soon issue a permit to the Monroe County Commission to construct an automobile bridge connecting the island to the mainland. A permit to extend a road from Stock Island to the Saddlebunch Keys was also expected.
1925 – Malcolm Meacham arrived in Key West to finalize the purchase of a 1,000-acre tract of land at the eastern end of the island. Meacham was buying the property from the Key West Realty Companay.
1950 – Overseas Highway toll receipts showed that 85,664 passengers crossed the toll gate in March. That was an increase of 12,850 over March of 1949, and 27,322 over March of 1948.
1969 – Former President Harry and Bess Truman left Key West after a two-week visit. This was his last visit to the Keys.
1976 – Joseph “Bum” Farto, former Key West Fire Chief, failed to appear in court for sentencing for his conviction of drug dealing. He was never seen again.
1994 – The City of Key West and the State of Florida filed a joint lawsuit against 21 Houseboat Row residents with the goal of evicting them. Both governments had long contended the floating neighborhood was illegally trespassing on public property.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The Sea Dog at Key West’s Houseboat Row, 1990s. Dale McDonald Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.