1832 – A vessel was purchased by the residents of Key West, converted into a hospital, and moored about a mile from the city. Though health prevailed, the floating infirmary was at the ready if an outbreak of disease occurred.
1911 – William Kerr, Key West’s leading architect, contractor, and builder, died at age 75. His projects included the Monroe County Courthouse, the Convent of Mary Immaculate, the Custom House, the First National Bank building, and his own home at 410 Simonton Street.
1914 – The schooner Serafina C. of Key West ran aground on “Baseball Shoal,” directly in line with La Brisa resort at the south end of Simonton Street. The vessel, bound to Miami with freight and passengers, was assisted by two tugs and refloated.
1919 – The U.S. Navy Subchaser SC 203 found the wreckage of the Spanish passenger liner Valbanera on Half Moon Shoals. The liner was last sighted on September 9 when it was turned away from Havana Harbor because of hurricane winds. No trace was ever found of the more than 300 passengers and crew on board the ship, making the Hurricane of 1919 the third deadliest storm to hit the United States.
1982 – The new Marathon Branch of the Monroe County Library was formally opened by Monroe County Mayor George E. Dolezal and other commissioners. Also on hand was architect and former Key West Mayor Charles “Sonny” McCoy, who located the state funds used to finance the project.
2009 – The new Monroe County Fire Rescue Station 13 on Big Pine Key was completed and ready for service. A public open house for the $3.2 million facility was planned for the near future.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Marathon Library dedication on September 19, 1982 by the Monroe County Commissioners. From left: Curt Blair, George E. Dolezal, Jerry Hernandez Jr., Wilhelmina Harvey and the Library architect, former Key West Mayor and future Monroe County Mayor Charles “Sonny” McCoy. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.