Florida Keys History

Hyatt buys old Key Wester Property

2008-11-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

On October 15, 1998 the Hyatt Hotels & Resorts purchased the old Key Wester property on South Roosevelt.

Solares Hill acquired by Citizen

2008-09-30T12:29:00.000-07:00

On October 10, 1998 Thomson Newspapers Inc., publishers of "The Key West Citizen acquired the 22-year old weekly "Solares Hill." Pictured here is the front page of the first issue.

Fleming Street to be paved in 1908

2008-08-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

On June 18, 1908 the city council instructed the city attorney to draw up an ordinance directing the board of public works to proceed with the paving of Fleming Street.

Fourth of July in 1908

2008-07-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

The Fourth July 1908 was observed from the break of day to midnight. The Patriotic Order Sons of America gave a celebration at La Brisa and thousands of citizens attended. The gold watch for the lady polling the most votes was given to Beulah Gwynn with 14,585 votes and second was Missouri Reynolds with 9, 8225 votes. At noon the Army fired a salute of forty-eight guns. In the evening there were fireworks and a dance at La Brisa. The street cars reported that over 10,000 person rode the trolley during the day.

Ruth Hargrove Seminary Closes

2008-06-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

On May 25, 1908 the Ruth Hargrove Seminary on United Street closed for the session, having a very
successful year. Miss Emily J. Reid, who had been in charge of the school for a number of years, tendered
her resignation and returned to college.

Four Men Get 13 Years in Prison - 1908

2008-05-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

On May 14, 1908 Judge L.W. Bethel of the criminal court sentenced the four men charged with grand thief
and arson of the Cortez Cigar Factory to 13 years in state prison.

One of the four men was Dutchy Melvin (AKA Dutchy Melbourn or Melville). He went by several names. He escaped from prison and headed to South Florida and went to work for Mr. Watson. Watson's farm was in Monroe County and Watson killed Dutchy. The neighbors killed Watson. Read the book "Killing Mr. Watson." good stuff.

House Boat Row To Go 1998

2008-04-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

On May 1, 1998 the Department of Environment Protection said that Houseboat Row on South Roosevelt
Boulevard must be removed by July 15.

339 Shrimp Boats Land in One Week

2008-02-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

On February 23, 1958 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that during the past week 339 shrimp boats landed their catch in Monroe County.

Turtle Boat Arrives in Key West

2008-02-26T07:38:00.000-08:00

On February 18, 1958 the turtle boat A. Maitland Adams arrived at Thompson Docks from Nicaragua with a cargo of green turtle.

Major League Players Meet in Key West

2008-02-05T12:27:00.000-08:00

Bob Feller and Stan Musial were among the members attending the Major League Players Association meeting at the Hotel Casa Marina on February 7, 1958. Feller was president of the Association.

Submarines Move to Key West

2008-01-29T11:19:00.000-08:00

On February 1, 1958 the Atlantic Fleet Submarine Headquarters announced that the USS
Grenadier and four other submarines were being moved from Groton, Connecticut to Key
West.

Fountains Restaurant Goes Down in Flames

2007-12-24T11:20:00.000-08:00

On December 29, 1983 fire destroyed the landmark Fountains Restaurant in the Old Cuban Club building on Duval Street at the corner of Amelia Street. The fire started when a propane truck filling the tanks at the restaurant caused an explosion engulfing the area in flames.

President Taft Tours Key West 1912

2007-12-24T11:07:00.000-08:00

On December 21, 1912 President William H. Taft arrived on the train and after touring the city and attending a luncheon in his honor, sailed on a Navy ship to Panama to inspect the construction of the Panama Canal, then in progress.

"Reap The Wild Wind" Author moves to Key West

2007-12-18T08:09:00.000-08:00

On December 7, 1940 author Thelma Strabel moved into her new house by the Southernmost Point. She is best remembered for her novel "Reap The Wild Wind" the story about the Key West wreckers that was made into a movie.

Gallows Erected in 1904

2007-12-18T08:05:00.000-08:00

On December 2, 1904 Fred Ewert was hanged for the murder of Frank Whitaker. The gallows was erected behind the Monroe County Jail at the corner of Whitehead and Fleming Streets.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church Built in 1924

2007-11-20T11:51:00.000-08:00

On November 19, 1924 the cornerstone of the new St. Peter’s Episcopal church was laid by Reverend Cameron Mann, bishop of Episcopal Diocese of South Florida.

President's Yacht to Fort Jefferson

2007-11-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

On November 13, 1948 President Truman, joined by his wife and daughter, took the yacht Williamsburg for a trip to Fort Jefferson at the Tortugas.

Elena Subject of Undying Love

2007-11-07T08:02:00.000-08:00

On October 25, 1931 Elena Hoyos Mesa, age 22, died of tuberculosis. She would achieve fame as the corpse that Carl Tanzler (Count Carl von Cosel) would live with for seven years.

Key West to Cuba flight saves Pan Am

2007-10-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

On October 19, 1927 to fulfill its contract with the U.S. Post Office, Pan American Airlines hired pilot Cy Caldwell to fly a single-engine seaplane from Key West to Havana. He left Key West at 8:04 a.m. carrying seven sacks of mail, containing about thirty thousand letters. He landed in Havana sixty-two minutes later and saved the airline which could not begin regular service with its own planes until October 28.

Mercedes Hospital Matron Receives Honor

2007-10-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

On October 9, 1934 Maria Gutsens, Matron of Mercedes Hospital for 23 years, was notified by the Secretary of State of Cuba that she had been awarded the Cross of the Order of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, the highest honor given by the Cuban Government.

Underwater Swimming School

2007-10-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

On October 4, 1954 the Navy’s first Underwater Swimming School was commissioned in Building 107 on the Naval Station with Lt. R.J. Fay as commanding officer.

Key West Post Office Opens in 1934

2007-09-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

On September 23, 1932 the Post Office opened for business in the new Federal Building on Simonton Street at the corner of Caroline Street.

Liner down in 1919 hurricane

2007-09-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

On September 19, 1919 the U.S. Navy Subchaser SC 203 found the wreckage of the Spanish passenger liner Val-banera on Half Moon Shoals. The liner was last sighted on September 9 when it was turned away from Havana Harbor because of hurricane winds. No trace was every found of the more than 300 passengers and crew of the ship making the Hurricane of 1919 the fourth deadliest storm to hit the United States.

Major Hurricane in 1919 near Key West

2007-09-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

On September 9, 1919 a major hurricane passed south of Key West on a west northwest track. Gale/hurricane force winds lasted from 7:00 a.m. on the ninth until 9:30 p.m. on the tenth with the highest wind of 110 mph. A barometer reading of 27.37 was recorded at the Dry Tortugas. The category four storm caused more than $2 million in damages. The photograph shows the damage to the Naval Air Station at Trumbo Point.

Survey for Highway to Big Pine Key 1959

2007-09-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

On September 1, 1959 the County Commission voted to ask the State Road Department to allocate $25,000 for a survey to determine the feasibly of the construction of a highway from Big Pine Key to Cape Sable on the south-west coast of Florida.