Today in Keys History – November 19, 2024
1895 – The Key West sponge schooner Shamrock sank off St. Marin’s Key and six of the 14-man crew were lost.
1908 – James Miller, a Key West bartender, was arrested on charges of selling cocaine, and he was taken to the county jail. An inquiry into Miller’s activities was also held at the U.S. Army Barracks.
1924 – The cornerstone of the new St. Peter’s Episcopal Church was laid by the Reverend Cameron Mann, bishop of Episcopal Diocese of South Florida.
1952 – Monroe County became the owner of the Key West International Airport when the deed of sale was filed. The county paid Key West Improvement, Inc., $150,000 for the property. The deed had a restriction that should the property ever be used for anything other than a public airport, the property would revert to Key West Improvement.
1964 – Key West city authorities began an investigation into the Monroe Sandwich Shop at 625 Duval Street. The establishment, popular with teenagers, had been selling “near beer” to all ages at all hours and the manager was accused of having a relationship with a 15-year-old girl.
1974 – Monroe County commissioners heard a proposal for a “bed tax” on all overnight accommodations in the Keys. It was said the 2-percent surcharge, modeled on a Miami Beach ordinance, would bring in several thousands of dollars of additional revenue every year.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Monroe Sandwich Shop at 625 Duval St., ca. 1965. Photo taken by the Monroe County Property Appraiser’s office. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.