1884 – A correspondent for the Jacksonville Times-Union wrote, “A vast amount of fruit is arriving in the Key West market from the islands, king-fish season is here, and the average Key Wester is happy.”
1900 – The sponge fleet arrived and reported good trips with shares from $85 to $135. The market was lively, and the prices given were good. Some of the vessels sold their catch at Tarpon Springs, while others brought their sponges to Key West.
1924 – The Key West criminal court had one of its busiest days on record, with 21 defendants arraigned for illegal possession of liquor.
1936 – The Key West post office received a shipment of three-foot-tall posters emblazoned with the phrase “Three Steps to Security in Your Old Age.” The posters were to be hung about town to promote the federal government’s new Social Security program.
1962 – A dozen armed guerrilla fighters were arrested at Sombrero Key by customs officers. The group of Americans, Canadians, and Cubans had 15 rifles, five pistols, ammunition, a hand grenade and two plastic bombs on board, plus medical supplies. The men said they had trained for six months at No Name Key for a raid on Cuba.
2008 – The Key West Planning Board rejected a request by the Truman Annex Property Owners Association to erect a 15-foot-tall gate and fence at their Southard Street entrance.
Information compiled by the late Tom Hambright, Historian Emeritus, and Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Sponges in Key West. Photo by Moffat. The DeWolfe and Wood Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center