1830 – William R. Hackley recorded in his diary: Rose with the sun and read Gil Blas. After breakfast the court met for the purpose of signing the minutes. I was not present but attended an auction sale of some things which belonged to the Lightship Caesar. Some pig iron sold at $17 per ton and the mooring of the ship at the place laid consisting of about 125 fathoms of inch and quarter chain and two mushroom anchors sold for $400. They were purchased by George Weaver and if the cost of weighing them is not very great should be a good speculation. Read Hammond. After dinner read and took a walk up to the beach. After tea went to Oliver O’Hara’s and played whist for some time. When the game was changed to a game of chance and I took a hand but bet no more than 6 ½ cents at a time. Played until ten. At 9 this morning the wind changed to the northeast and at night blew pretty fresh, weather pleasant.
1897 – George B. Patterson assumed duties as Postmaster Key West relieving Harry McClintock, who had been acting for some months.
1899 – Thanksgiving Day was observed by all churches, which held services. In the afternoon the bazaar was held at La Brisa. The bicycle road race was held at 4 p.m. with 24 entries. The best time was 9 minutes and 54 seconds by Carl Stockins, a champion rider. There were thousands of people along the track to witness the race. A dance was held at 8 p.m.
1899 – The County Road (today Flagler Avenue) was cut through to the eastern end of the Island.
1968 Capt. Bill Wickers of the charter boat Sandy Bill II caught his 93th sailfish of the year and with over a month left hoped to beat his 1966 record of 95 sailfish in a year.
1971 – Charles River Breeding Laboratories bought Loggerhead Head Key two miles off Cudjoe Key to be used to breed rhesus monkeys.
1976 – Don Schloesser was elected Monroe County Mayor when Lawrence Gomez pulled his name from bowl containing names of the commissioners. The method of choosing a mayor was used after the board deadlocked.
Information compiled by Tom Hambright, Historian Emeritus, Florida Keys History Center, Monroe County Public Library
Image: Bicycles in Key West. April 1895. Gift of Judi Lank. Florida Keys History Center, Monroe County Public Library. https://www.flickr.com/photos/keyslibraries/14290370986