1849 – The Belgian brig Antionette arrived at Key West under the charge of wreckers. The vessel was sailing from Antwerp to Havana when some of the crew mutinied and killed the captain and first mate. The second mate was made to navigate, but he somehow ran the Antoinette onto the Florida reef. When the wreckers learned of the mutiny, they put the culprits in irons to deliver them to authorities.
1906 – James R. Shackelford, a leader of Key West’s Black community, died after a short illness. He had a grocery store at the corner of Duval and Petronia streets for many years. He was buried from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where he was a member.
1910 – A bag of seeds from the Botong or “fish poison” tree (Barringtonia sp.) of the Philippines was delivered to Key West for planting on the grounds of Fort Taylor. Only 10 other U.S. Army posts had these trees.
1911 – Key West’s three public schools – Russell Hall and Harris High School for white children, and the Douglass School for Black students – opened for the school year. The new Hargrove Seminary and the Mary Immaculate Convent School, the island’s private religious schools, also opened.
1944 – Rosabell Bethel was chosen Miss Key West 1944 at a festival held at the city stadium, and she was presented with a $20 war bond.
1954 – Plans for changes to the triangle entrance to Key West were announced, with the old railroad bridge to be replaced and become part of a second, inbound automobile lane. The existing bridge would be made outbound only to Stock Island.
1984 – Harry Knight won the Democratic primary and reelection as Monroe County Tax Collector. The other winners were Circuit Court Judge Richard Fowler, Public Defender Rand Winter and school board member Dr. Geraldine Caron. All the other candidates faced a runoff election or opponents in the general election.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The triangle at U.S. 1 and the Roosevelt Boulevards in Key West on November 21, 1941. U.S. Navy photo. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.