1887 – The Spanish language newspaper El Yara began publication in Key West.
1897 – Extremely high tides in the Upper Keys destroyed thousands of tomato plants and other winter vegetables.
1907 – Herbie “Dutchy” Melbourne was found guilty of manslaughter for the 1904 killing of Key West policeman Clarence Till. Melbourne had earlier been found guilty of murder and sentenced to death, but on review, the Florida Supreme Court ruled he could only be tried for the lesser offense. Melbourne was sentenced to one year in county jail.
1937 – The former United States Biological Station at the east end of Flagler Avenue in Key West was sold to Julian Marks, who renamed the property Casa Roma.
1974 – Almost all Monroe County hotel rooms were already booked for the Christmas holiday, making hoteliers optimistic for the rest of the winter season.
2014 – A long-awaited new Florida Keys SPCA facility was greenlighted after terms between Monroe County and the City of Key West were agreed to. A 24,000-square-foot structure on elevated ground along College Road on Stock Island would replace the organization’s existing patchwork of low-lying kennels and buildings.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The boathouse, pool, and garden at the Casa Roma, ca. 1940. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.