Today in Keys History – April 21, 2024
1847 – The British ship Yucatan ran ashore on French Reef and bilged while carrying 1,200 bales of cotton, 800 barrels of flour, 300 of pork, 300 of lard, and 5,000 sacks of corn. Wreckers were removing the cargo, but most of it was wet.
1888 – “Bandits” who had been driven out of Cuba by martial law had made their way to Key West and were trying to extort residents with threats of violence. A public meeting was held in the Board of Trade Hall and a resolution passed putting the outlaws on notice that action would be taken against them.
1924 – The Exchange Club of Key West, an organization dedicated to promoting the island’s interests, celebrated its first anniversary. The club was planning to raise $10,000 to advertise Key West for the next winter’s tourist season.
1952 – The Key West Players at the Barn Theatre opened a presentation of five one-act dramas by Key West resident Tennessee Williams. Williams supervised all the plays and personally directed “Moony’s Kid Don’t Cry.”
1980 – Key West fishing boasts Dos Hermanos and Blanche III arrived in Key West with 48 Cuban refugees, which began the Mariel Boatlift. By the end of the boatlift in late summer, more than 130,000 refugees had arrived in Key West.
1982 – A group of locals led by attorney David Paul Horan filed suit in federal court in Miami to have the U.S. Border Patrol’s roadblock at Florida City removed.
1984 – On the 2nd anniversary of the creation of the Conch Republic, a ceremony marking the occasion was held at the Key West Chamber of Commerce near Mallory Square. “First Prime Minister” Dennis Wardlow and then-current “Prime Minister” Richard Heyman dedicated a memorial to the tongue-in-cheek country.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Key West Woman’s Club & Barn Theater, 319 Duval Street, ca. 1965. Built ca. 1890, Square 24, Pt Lot 3 & 4. Photo taken by Monroe County Property Appraiser’s office. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.