1909 – Many vessels were still sunk, jumbled, or trapped at Key West because of the October 11 hurricane. Especially problematic were the sunk U.S. government steamer McAdam, blocking many vessels in the bight, and a four-masted schooner loaded with coal that went down near the main channel of the harbor.
1945 – The Gulf Oil Corporation was drilling an oil well on Coupon Bight on the south side of Big Pine Key.
1974 – The two-story house that had been next to the Key West Library at 716 Fleming Street was moved to 115 Duval Street and is now the Bagatelle Restaurant.
1974 – Key West’s new Central Fire Station at Flagler Avenue and Kennedy Drive was opened. Featured speakers were KWFD Chief Joseph “Bum” Farto, former state Senator John Spottswood, and Mayor Sonny McCoy, who also designed the new facility. Approximately 1,500 residents attended the dedication.
1983 – At the organizational meeting of the Monroe County Commission Wilhelmina Harvey was elected Mayor of Monroe County, the first woman to hold that office.
1985 – Captain Clifton “Lefty” Reagan died at the age of 77. He had been a charter boat captain in Key West for 38 years. He was the guide for Doc and Helen Robinson when they developed the system for catching the first sailfish on fly tackle.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The U.S. steamer McAdam, schooner White Wing and other vessels wrecked at Sweeney’s dock by the Hurricane of 1909. Photo by R. W. Harrison. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.