1836 – The Key West Enquirer reported that 200 refugees from mainland south Florida and the Upper Keys were at Indian Key and Key West to escape attack by Seminole warriors.
1931 – Captain R.T. Menner, Commandant of Naval Station Key West, told a local Marine Day audience that a “rising tide of color” threatened civilized nations. “There are hordes of foreigners who would haul down the Stars and Stripes and raise in its stead the red flag of anarchy,” he said.
1933 – The U.S. naval communication service and the Lighthouse Bureau exchanged offices between the old post office building and building No.1 (today known as the Key West Custom House and the Shops at Mallory Square).
1936 – Nelson English Park was dedicated. The main speaker was Alex Johnson. The park was named for Nelson English, the first African American Postmaster of Key West. The Welters Cornet Band provided music for the ceremony.
1963 – Fire destroyed William Curry Sons building on Front Street. The giant two-story frame building was considered an architectural and historical landmark that had been built after the Great Fire of 1886.
2008 – Wilson, a captive-born, six-year-old bottlenose dolphin that had escaped from a Duck Key facility a week earlier, was found dead of starvation at Grassy Key.
2009 – Monroe County held a grand opening ceremony for the Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center in Key Largo. The $10.8 million building at MM 102 was named for the late District 5 county commissioner.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Wm. Curry & Sons building on Front Street C 1940. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.