1770 – The HMS Carysford wrecked on a reef off Key Largo and gave its name to the reef, which was later changed to Carysfort.
1908 – Monroe County Republicans held a campaign rally at Jackson Square in Key West. George W. Allen, candidate for Congress, had just returned from a tour of the district and was the featured speaker.
1911 – The Jewish women of Key West formed an organization called the Young Ladies’ Hebrew Association. They planned to celebrate the organization of the new club with a dance.
1924 – A 12-acre tract of land on Key Largo owned by Edward L. Lowe was sold for $108,000.
1962 – As part of the nation’s response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, a military build-up in Key West was underway.
1986 – The Monroe County Commission hired retired Navy Captain Tom Brown, former Commanding Officer Naval Air Station Key West, to replace retiring Monroe County Administrator Kermit Lewin.
1999 – The new central fire station on North Roosevelt Boulevard was dedicated and named for the late Fire Chief Richard “Dickie” Wardlow.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: A HAWK Missile launcher on Smathers Beach, 1962. Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.