1823 – The U.S. Navy steamer Sea Gull, the storeship Decoy, and the schooners Greyhound and Jackall were at Key West, with the remainder of Commodore Porter’s West India Squadron out of port, cruising against pirates.
1893 – A traveler through the Florida Keys wrote, “Long Key is but little known at present. It is not a resort; but if the tourists and health seekers ever go beyond Bay Biscayne and stop anywhere this side of Key West, it will be at Long Key, the most beautiful of this chain of islands.”
1956 – Presidential candidate Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver was campaigning in Key West. He promised Mayor C.B. Harvey that if he was elected, he would make Key West his vacation headquarters.
1964 – “Escape From Hell Island,” the Key West-made and locally backed movie, had its world premiere at the San Carlos Institute and received less than glowing reviews.
1980 – Directors of the Key West Chamber of Commerce asked the Governor to declare Key West an economic disaster area and release state funds for tourist advertising because of the adverse impact of the Mariel Boatlift.
1982 – The new Seven Mile Bridge was dedicated by Congressman Dante Fascell, and 1,300 runners took part in an inaugural bridge run to celebrate. The new span was opened for automobile traffic on May 24th.
1986 – The 118th and last class graduated from Mary Immaculate High School (formerly the Convent of Mary Immaculate). There were 18 members of the class of 1986.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The Third Annual 7-Mile Bridge Run, 1984. Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.