1901 – The United States dredge boat Winyah Bay competed its work on the northwest channel, and steamers could go through at low tide. The depth was about 15 feet, which was ample for the smaller boats that utilized the channel. Larger vessels used the main channel and southwest channel.
1909 – Over 11,000 rations had been issued over four days to hurricane victims at Key West. The food was provided by businesses, civic groups, and individuals from across the state and nation.
1913 – Mr. F.J. Powers, representing the Florida East Coast Railway, was in Key West to discuss the survey and sale of Cape Sable lands on mainland Monroe County. The company had already found 30 homesteaders and hoped to attract more settlers to whom they could sell thousands of acres of land.
1923 – The 25 cigar factories of Key West were producing over 60 million cigars annually.
1924 – Key West was experiencing a building boom of home garages, with three being started on this date.
1950 – The Navy announced plans for 1,000 new housing units to be built at Dredgers Key (Sigsbee Park), Trumbo Point, and the old Army Barracks (Peary Court). Old housing units at the Army Barracks and Rest Beach were torn down.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The wreckage of the Manuel Lopez factory after the 1909 hurricane. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.