Today in Keys History – December 13
1847 – Philip J. Fontaine was elected mayor of Key West. He had earlier served as mayor from 1840 to 1841 and 1842 to 1844.
1910 – The U.S. torpedo destroyer Drayton of the eighth division of the Atlantic torpedo fleet arrived in Key West, the first of the division to arrive for winter training. It was thought that the ninth division would also rendezvous at Key West, meaning 10 vessels and 1,000 men would spend the winter at the island.
1981 – The Fisherman’s Cafe on Caroline Street, long a favorite subject for Key West artists, was saved and moved to Front Street near Mallory Square where it stands today.
1989 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reopened the public comment period on a proposal to list the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit as an endangered species.
1992 – Florida State football player Corey Sawyer was named to the Associated Press All-American team. Sawyer was a former Key West High star player.
2009 – Peter Brawn and Matt McCarthy, the new owners of Key West’s historic Harris School, announced they were beginning a $2 million restoration of the building to return it to the way it was when built in 1908. They then planned to lease the interior space.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Fisherman’s Café at 901 Caroline Street in deteriorating condition, ca. 1980. Wright Langley Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.