1910 – The steamer Virginia arrived at Boca Chica with railroad engine No. 10 and two construction cars to aid work there. Two arches were already completed for the channel bridge, and the forms for 16 others were in place.
1938 – Edward “Coto” Garcia was selected to sing at New York World’s Fair of 1939.
1963 – Rear Admiral L.J. Kirn, Commander of Naval Station Key West, reported the local Navy population, including dependents, numbered 21,000. In addition, the military employed 1,860 civilian workers.
1973 – The Attorney General of Florida ruled that a Monroe County referendum to limit the height of condominiums was not a valid use of the election process.
1974 – After an eight-week training course, five Key West Police officers were certified as advanced scuba divers. Having trained divers on staff brought new underwater search and rescue capabilities to the department.
1999 – After a nine-year, $8 million restoration of the Key West Custom House, the Key West Museum of Art & History opened in the iconic building. The gala event was marked by a parade down Whitehead Street and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The Key West Naval Station and Fort Taylor August 1963. U.S. Navy photo from the Ida Woodward Barron Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.