1862 – U.S. troops at Key West were flouting postal protocol by smuggling their letters via Spanish “fruit sloops” to Havana, from where they could then be mailed northward.
1906 – A city mission was organized and headquartered near Duval and Greene streets in Key West. The object of the mission was to “relieve the distress of unfortunates who are friendless,” as well as to provide a public reading and recreation room.
1924 – The Navy aircraft tender USS Aroostook arrived in Key West, with Capt. A.W. Marshal, commander of the aircraft battle fleet on board. The men of Aroostook were given onshore liberty.
1951 – The State Hotel Commissioner reported Monroe County had 924 motel and 738 hotel rooms.
1952 – Renowned National Geographic explorer and photographer Luis Marden arrived in Key West to photograph the island’s flowers and gardens. His photos and other observations would be featured in a January 1953 article titled “Tropical Gardens of Key West.”
1986 – Air South began regularly scheduled flights between Marathon and Miami. The airline offered an initial round-trip fare of $25, which would rise to $78 after two weeks.
2000 – The Monroe County Commission agreed to buy the old Mariners Hospital on Plantation Key for $1.9 million. The property would be used for a new sheriff’s substation, the public defender’s office, and state health department offices.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Duval Street at the corner of Greene Street about 1900. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.