1908 – The Tampa baseball team lost every game it had played during the week against the Key West players. The Key West club was worried, though, because attendance had been poor, and they feared there might not be enough money to pay Tampa’s guaranteed appearance fee.
1947 – President Harry Truman interrupted his Key West vacation to go to Everglades City to dedicate the Everglades National Park. After the ceremony, he returned to Key West and continued his vacation.
1952 – Representative Bernie C. Papy made the first call to institute the change from the manual-type telephone system to the dial system.
1953 – Harry Cohen was building a new commercial building on Fleming Street at the corner of Bahama Street that would house five stores and thirteen offices. The building was ready for occupancy by the end of January.
1954 – The Columbia Laundry at 617 Simonton Street celebrated its 56th anniversary. Aside from providing laundry services for Key West residents, the business also washed linens for the island’s leading hotels and motels.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: President Harry S. Truman passing by the Columbia Laundry at 617 Simonton Street, ca. 1950. From the Ida Woodward Barron Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.