1924 – Boys with slingshots were becoming a menace in Key West. The boys were carelessly shooting at birds and were frequently off-target, breaking windows or hitting pedestrians instead.
1953 – The Monroe County Health Unit reported the 54th polio case of the year, with five deaths.
1962 – President John F. Kennedy, in a speech to the nation, ordered a quarantine of Cuba because of the Russian missiles on the island. The local military was in the highest state of readiness as more troops arrived to support the quarantine.
1964 – Key West Mayor Kermit Lewin presented the key to the city to Admiral Ni Yue-si, Commander in Chief of the Navy of the Republic of China.
1972 – Karl Thompson died at age 85. He had served as sheriff of Monroe County from 1933 to 1941. In 1959, he donated the land on Fleming Street for the Monroe County Public Library.
1974 – The E.K. Corporation began filming “92 in the Shade,” based on Thomas McGuane’s book. The movie set in Key West starred Peter Fonda.
2009 – Key West city commissioners debated the merits allowing a nude beach at either the east end of Smathers Beach or “Nature Beach” on the Berg property off Atlantic Boulevard. It was decided to hold a workshop on the subject to gather public input.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Aerial view of the south side of Key West, including the Berg property and the 1800 Atlantic condominium buildings. Taken on September 1, 1999 by Ty Symroski and Wendy Tucker. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.