1855 – U.S. Senator and Key West resident Stephen R. Mallory left the island for Pensacola on the USS Fulton so he could meet with constituents in the western part of the state.
1896 – The steamers Three Friends and City of Richmond were seized by customs officials at Key West for engaging in filibustering expeditions in violation of a treaty between the U.S. and Spain. Both vessels were part of a plan to carry 500 cases of arms and ammunition to Cuban rebels. (Filibustering means engaging in unauthorized warfare against a foreign country.)
1939 – Key West Police Chief Ivan Elwood said that with increased police presence people could visit Rest Beach without fear of rowdyism. Over the past few days, women had complained that several men were using profane language there.
1951 – A Navy PBM crashed near Dredger’s Key (Sigsbee Park) on taking off from the Sea Plane Base, killing eight of the nine-man crew.
1984 – A federal grand jury indicted 22 people, charging them with a variety of offenses in connection with the operating of a cocaine trafficking ring and criminal protection network. Included in the group were the Key West deputy chief of police and two detectives. This case was known as “the Bubba Bust.”
1995 – The Navy held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Peary Court housing project. For years, the site had been leased as a park to the city, which made the housing project unpopular with many residents.
2004 – With a prolonged spell of hot, dry, and calm weather, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary officials issued a coral bleaching alert for Sand Key and asked divers to limit activities there.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Delia Bestard and Loraine Johnson on Rest Beach ca. 1937. Gift Dr. H.K. Moore. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.