Today in Keys History – March 27, 2024
1513 – Ponce de Leon sighted the Florida Keys and becomes the first European to land in Florida.
1861 – Maj. William H. French arrived at Key West and assumed command of the U.S. military on the island from Capt. J.M. Brannan.
1924 – Developers were scheming to capitalize on what was described as “the best beach in Florida” at Boca Chica Key. Ideas included the filling of much land, along with construction of a hotel, casino, bathing pavilion, and bungalows along the waterfront.
1929 – Fire destroyed the old Ruy Lopez Cigar Factory near the county road. The building had not been in use for a number of years, but it was still estimated to be worth $10,000.
1986 – The schooner Wolf was proclaimed the flagship of the Conch Republic by Monroe County Mayor Wilhelmina Harvey. “As flagship of the Conch Republic fleet, we’ve placed the ship at the service of the republic,” said Captain Finbar Gittleman, who proudly used only traditional methods to sail Wolf.
1999 – The U.S. Coast Guard launched a new buoy tender named in honor of Barbara Mabritty, one of Key West’s most famous lighthouse keepers. She took over as keeper of the Key West Lighthouse in 1832 when her husband died. She survived the Hurricane of 1846 and remained at the station until 1864, retiring at age 82.
2014 – Netflix began filming a new, unnamed “family drama” in Islamorada, with Sam Shepard and Sissy Spacek as lead actors. Work on the 13-episode series would run through October.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Captain Finbar Gittelman on the schooner Wolf on April 20, 1991. Photo by Nancy Klingener. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.