1853 – Bowne and Curry successfully tested a marine railway that was capable of lifting vessels of 500 tons.
1858 – Professor Louis Agassiz of Harvard University, accompanied by associates, was in the Florida Keys to examine the structure of the reef. The party left this day for the Dry Tortugas to collect specimens of coral, marine plants, and animals.
1924 – Milton W. Curry opened a small aquarium at Curry’s Fish Market Wharf as an attraction for both tourists and residents. Local fishermen agreed to supply the fish, and Peter B. Roberts was named manager of the facility.
1955 – The new Southernmost Motel on Duval and South Streets had twenty-eight of its planned 50 units open with the rest near completion. The motel owned by Ben and Aaron Mazur had a 25-by-50-foot swimming pool.
2009 – Monroe County Commissioners, looking for ways to gain revenue and cut expenses in difficult economic times, discussed selling the Gato Building on Simonton Street, The Marathon Government Center, and the Jefferson Browne Courthouse on Whitehead Street.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Southernmost Motel, 1319 Duval Street, ca. 1965. Tract 16, Sqr 2, Lot 6 & 8. Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.