1851 – A gale commenced at Key West and blew for 30 hours. There was no damage to buildings or ships.
1869 – The bark Washington, sailing for Mobile, ran aground at Orange Key in the western Bahamas. Key West wreckers salvaged some of the cargo, but Nassau wreckers soon took charge.
1904 – At 9:30 the new St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Truman Avenue was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. W.J. Kenny, D.D., Bishop of St. Augustine. At 10:30 solemn high mass was celebrated by the Reverend Father A.B. Friend, pastor of the church. Music for the event was provided by Ayala’s orchestra accompanied by the grand organ.
1906 – Captain S. J. Wolf was in command of Company I, 2nd Battalion of the Florida National Guard that met at the Armory at corner of White and Southard streets. The lieutenants were J.H. Curry and Louis Louis.
1929 – The Key West Woman’s Club urged for a halt to the malicious killing of birds on the island and threated to file legal complaints against the families of the boys who were trapping and shooting the creatures.
1934 – A census taken by Federal Emergency Relief Administration showed that the population of Key West was 11,656.
1950 – Residents of Billygoat Alley petitioned the city to change the name to Hibiscus Alley. The request was approved by City Manager Dave King.
1954 – Two new cases of polio were reported, bringing the total for 1954 to 35 cases. The latest victim was a 34-year-old woman who had the paralytic form of the disease. She was sent to Miami’s Variety Children’s Hospital for treatment.
1971 – Reports were received that a Cuban Air Force plane had crashed between Islamorada and Grassy Key and the bodies of the pilot and co-pilot had been recovered by fishermen. The Coast Guard investigated and found the story to be a hoax.
1987 – Bill Moore of Big Pine Key was re-elected state president of the Organized Fishermen of Florida.
Information compiled by Tom Hambright, Historian Emeritus, and Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Postcard of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 730 Truman Avenue, Key West. Published by Raphael Tuck and Sons. From the DeWolfe and Wood Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.