1831 – After “a rather free indulgence of their orisons to Bacchus,” 230 Irish laborers, rescued from the wreck of the ship Maria and housed for nearly a week at Key West, grew agitated over some unknown transgression. They became boisterous and kept the citizenry awake through the night.
1863 – It was exceptionally cold at Key West. “Old citizens say they never knew it to be so cold before, it is very chilly, even to us who come from a cold climate,” wrote Henry Hornbeck of the Pennsylvania 47th.
1884 – The Key West Marshal arrested nine juveniles found gambling in a shed owned by Asa F. Tift. The boys were arraigned before Mayor Bethel and fined $5 each.
1905 – After investigating the murder of Monroe County game warden Guy Bradley, who had been shot near the settlement of Flamingo on the mainland, a Key West grand jury returned no indictment. Walter Smith, who was jailed for the crime, was discharged.
1969 – After 123 years of service, the Key West Lighthouse was turned off by Mrs. Jennie DeBoer. Mrs. DeBoer’s mother had been a keeper of the light.
1987 – Delbert Layton, former mayor and founder of the City of Layton on Long Key, died at age 81.
1994 – An audit of the Monroe County Fine Arts Council revealed the misuse of thousands of dollars and that the executive director had been using MCFAC funds to pay personal expenses.
2013 – For two months, an unknown man dubbed the “graveyard thief” had been regularly burglarizing homes in the neighborhoods surrounding the Key West Cemetery.
Information compiled by the late Tom Hambright, Historian Emeritus, and Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Del Layton holding a list of members of the Long Key Fishing Club. C 1970s. Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center