1891 – The Key West City Commission passed an ordinance prohibiting the killing or trapping of any songbird.
1886 – Key West experienced a low temperature nearing 40 degrees. U.S. Weather Bureau Chief Harry Boyer affirmed this in 1895, when he wrote, “No frost has ever formed at Key West, the lowest temperature ever recorded being 40.8 degrees on January 12, 1886.”
1925 – It was a “liquid sunshine” day at Key West Customs House, as authorities poured various brands of confiscated liquor into the ocean near the western foot of Greene Street.
1927 – The Army announced that the post cemetery of the Key West Army Barracks would be moved to Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola.
1943 – The U.S. Government began building the High School Annex on United Street. The $65,000 schoolhouse had 14 rooms and was funded entirely by the federal government.
1952 – There were 250 shrimp trawlers operating out of Key West and the average catch was 2,500 pounds per trip.
1971 – John Dedek purchased the neglected property at 227 Duval Street. He later restored it and opened the Fogarty House Restaurant and Cafe.
2010 – With near-record low temperatures blanketing South Florida, Marathon’s Turtle Hospital was at capacity, as its staff worked to save dozens of cold-stunned sea turtles. Countless dead fish were also washing up on Keys beaches.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Harry Boyer in the office of the U. S. Weather Bureau, Key West. Collection of Rosalie and Bascom Grooms, Sr. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center