1854 – The ship A.M. Hayes, sailing from New Orleans to Liverpool, was at Key West in a leaking condition. Areas near the waterline were being caulked, but if it was found the leak was lower, the cargo of 4,975 bales of cotton, 20,000 barrel staves, and 14 tons of logwood would have to be removed and the vessel heeled over.
1955 – “Carib Gold,” a motion picture about shrimpers finding a sunken treasure, was being filmed in Key West. The movie starred Ethel Waters, Coley Wallace and Cicely Tyson.
1974 – Former state senator John Spottswood proposed to Monroe County and Florida Education commissioners that Florida Keys Community College be converted to a four-year university focusing on marine biology and oceanography. “Key West would make a great college town,” said Spottswood.
1983 – Preliminary plans for the development of the Truman Annex were unveiled before the Historic Preservation Board. The plan called for the Custom House building to be used as the lobby of an adjoining hotel complex that would have up to 500 rooms.
1984 – Over 250 of the best criminal defense attorneys in the U.S. were gathered at the Holiday Inn at Key West for a seminar titled “Defense of Drug Cases.” The program was organized by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).
2009 – Infamous Key West protestor Anthony Capo was arrested for battery after an altercation with a woman singing Christmas carols at the Key West Holiday Parade. Capo was holding a sign that read “Santa is taking your child to hell,” when he kicked the woman.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Aerial view of Florida Keys Community College, 1970s. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.