1869 – One hundred and thirty-seven Cuban refugees fleeing Spanish oppression arrived at Key West, with more expected. “The city is overrun with refugees,” wrote a correspondent.
1893 – The Key West Equator-Democrat estimated that Key Westers spent $15,000 weekly on tickets for the Havana, Mexican, Louisiana, and Canadian lotteries.
1935 – The Key West Aquarium was dedicated. The main speaker was Dr. Robert O. Van Deusen, superintendent of the Fairmount Park Aquarium in Philadelphia.
1943 –The United States Marine Hospital, Key West closed. The hospital was established in 1848 to treat members of the U.S. Merchant Marines. The hospital had also served as a Navy Hospital during the Civil War and in 1898 when it treated the wounded from the Battleship Maine. In addition, many Key Westers were saved by treatment at the hospital, which was staffed by the U.S. Public Health Service.
1972 – Dustin Hoffman and his family spent the weekend at the Pier House Motel.
1974 – Fire destroyed the Oriental Health Spa on Flagler Avenue in Key West. The spa had been the subject of multiple complaints, and arson was “at the top of the list” for the suspected cause of the blaze.
2008 – Due to a decline in Keys working waterfronts, the Standard Marine Supply Co. of Stock Island closed after 58 years. The business had occupied various Key West locations before following the shrimp boats to Stock Island in the 1980s.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Fire at the Oriental Health Spa, 3120 Flagler Avenue, in February 1974. Photo by Raymond L. Blazevic. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.