Today in Keys History – November 14, 2024
1904 – James A. Waddell died at age 65. He was born in Canada and came to Key West in 1881 to work at the John White Bank. He served as Mayor of Key West from 1888 to 1889 and again from 1895 to 1897.
1907 – Abraham Wolkowsky purchased multiple downtown lots from the Key West Investment Company. The property ran from the corner of Duval and Greene streets down Greene to New Street, opposite the telegraph office, making it one of the best business tracts on the island.
1937 – The Florida Keys Hurricane Monument on Upper Matecumbe Key was dedicated. The Monument was in memory of those who lost their lives in the Labor Day Storm of 1935 and the ashes of 23 of the victims were interred at the site.
1959 – The Monroe County Public Library on Fleming Street in Key West was opened. Karl Thompson, who donated the land for the new facility, cut the ribbon, as library administrator May Hill Russell and other dignitaries looked on.
1989 – Key West Police Officers Steve Hammer and Robert Allen were both wounded in a shootout with a suspected drug dealer who was killed in the gun fight.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: May Hill Russell and Monroe County Mayor Gerald Saunders look on as Karl Thompson cuts the ribbon to open the new Monroe County Library at 700 Fleming Street on November 14, 1959. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.