Harris School in Key West, from the 1955-56 yearbook
1829 – Theodore Owens Esq., a two-year resident of Key West, was elected to represent Monroe County at the Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida. Owens had 61 votes at Key West and 58 votes at Indian Key, versus 71 and 18 for his opponent, physician Robert A. Lacey.
1904 – F.W. Knight, defeated contender for Monroe County Sheriff, announced his continued candidacy in the general election. Knight claimed that all the precincts were reporting fraudulent primary votes, and he was gathering affidavits to prove his case. His intent was to file a protest before the State executive committee.
1911 – Miss Lovie Turner resigned as principal of the public school, Russell Hall, located at the corner of Division and White streets. She had been a teacher and principal in the Monroe County School System for 31 years.
1937 – The Florida Keys Aqueduct Commission was created by the Florida State Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Frederick P. Cone. The members of the Board of Commissioners were: William Daughtry, William M. Arnold and Earl R. Adams.
1955 – In a gun battle at a pool hall at the corner of Whitehead and Petronia streets, police fatally wounded a shrimper. Police Officers Henry Roberts and Howard Harris were wounded during the battle. Officer Harris was hospitalized with wounds in the stomach, shoulder and hand. Officer Roberts received a flesh wound in the thigh.
1959 – The Key West High School baseball team won the Class A State High School championship with a 3 to 2 victory over Milton High.
1982 – Harris School on Southard Street closed after 74 years as a public school.
1992 – The Turtle Hospital in Marathon was dedicated.
2008 – Lawyers for musician Jimmy Buffet demanded that a Key Largo newsletter called “The Conch Republic Coconut Telegraph” change its name, claiming Buffet had coined the phrase coconut telegraph in 1981.
2009 – After an appeal and recounts, Tegan Slaton was found to have won 14 more votes than challenger Mary Vanden Brook in the November election for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court bench.
Information compiled by Tom Hambright, Historian Emeritus, and Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Harris School 1955-1956. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.