North Roosevelt Boulevard in Key West, circa 1940s
1823 – Commodore David Porter sent five Spanish pirates to the Captain-General of Cuba for trial. The outlaws had been wounded in a battle with the U.S. Navy’s anti-piracy squadron off the north coast of Cuba, taken prisoner, and brought to Key West.
1917 – Ground was broken for the first Naval Air Station on Trumbo Point on land rented from the Florida East Coast Railroad.
1927 – The sponge industry was growing, with a 50% increase in revenues for the year. Long dry spells with resulting clear water had allowed spongers to see and hook choice specimens.
1933 – Someone was determinedly stealing ice from the water barrel at the Monroe County courthouse. Even after the top of the barrel was strapped and locked, the thief pried it open to get the goods.
1934 – The boulevard fringing much of Key West’s northern, eastern, and southern shores was named Roosevelt Boulevard, in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1947 – A $34,000 contract for the construction of the Blue Marlin Motel in Key West was signed by owner Jacob Dietsch and the Reynolds Construction Company. Work was expected to be completed in 60 days.
1942 – The merchant vessel Andrew Jackson was sunk 72 miles east of Havana by the German submarine U-84.
1984 – The Monroe County County Commission renamed three buildings at their meeting in Key West. The Key West Library was renamed Monroe County May Hill Russell Library, the Marathon Library was renamed the George Dolezal Branch Library and the West Martello was renamed West Martello Joe Allen Garden Center.
1993 – Katherine “K” Wilkinson of Key Largo was selected by the American Cancer Society to receive the 1993 Florida Distinguished Service Award for her diligent volunteer service to the society.
2011 – Lower property tax revenues resulting from declining real estate values were forcing the Monroe County School District to trim nearly $11 million from its proposed 2012 budget.
Information compiled by Tom Hambright, Historian Emeritus, and Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Aerial of North Roosevelt circa 1940s. Photo by Faraldo’s Flying Service. The Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.