Today in Keys History – March 29, 2024
1906 – After 14 days of testing the DeForest wireless telegraph was accepted by the Navy. The stations in the system were at Key West, Pensacola, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Colon, Panama.
1924 – The first fishing camp on Key Largo was established by S.A. Jones one and one-half miles from the Rock Harbor train station. Some were predicting there would be similar camps “from one end of the key to the other” by the next tourist season.
1938 – The new Overseas Highway using the railroad bridges from Lower Matecumbe to Big Pine Key opened.
1963 – The Oldest Bar and Cistern Room at 428 Greene Street held its formal opening. The bar was the first “semi-open” gay business in Key West.
1974 – In a disestablishment ceremony that closed the 151-year-old Naval Station Key West Commanding Officer Captain H.D. Murphee ordered, “Haul down the colors.” Changing submarine technologies and a tightening budget prompted the closure.
1975 – The new East and West Wings of the Monroe County Library at 700 Fleming Street were dedicated. The speaker was Ralph Renick, News Director of WTVJ Television. Tennessee Williams, for whom the new auditorium was named, also attended.
2000 – The lobby and dining hall of the Buccaneer Lodge in Marathon were destroyed by fire. “This was the absolute epitome of fully engulfed,” said assistant fire marshal Bill Surina. Fifty-five firemen fought the blaze.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: The Buccaneer Lodge in Marathon when it was new. Photo by The Florida Keys Photo Service from the Wright Langley collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.