Today in Keys History – July 24, 2024
1865 – Dr. Samuel Mudd, Edward Spangler, Michael O’Laughlen, and Samuel Arnold – all convicted as conspirators in the assassination of President Lincoln – arrived at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas to serve their prison terms. They joined 552 other prisoners being held there.
1916 – Monroe County Commissioners decided to call for an election to bond the county for $125,000 to build roads on Big Pine Key, Key Largo, Cape Sable, and Stock Island. New roads would not only benefit residents and tourists but would allow farmers to get their crops to train depots more easily.
1961 – After a 2 ½ day journey, a 45-foot fishing boat with 49 refugees on board arrived at Key West from the Cuban port town of Coloma. The refugees said two or three other boats were also on their way.
1976 – Glynn Archer Sr. died in Key West. He was terminal manager of the Overseas Transportation Company for 30 years. He served on the Monroe County School Board for 12 years and Glynn R. Archer School (now Key West City Hall) was named for him.
1999 – Monroe County Commissioners were pleading with FEMA officials to exempt downstairs enclosures from removal to comply with federal flood insurance regulations. The estimated 4,000 enclosures were a significant part of the Keys’ affordable housing stock.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Cuban fishing boat with refugees at the Coast Guard Base in Key West in 1961. Photo by Don Pinder. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.