Today in Key West History

Bobby Marion Francis had a criminal past and was involved in the drug trade in Key West in the mid 1970's. One deal went wrong and he ended up taking revenge on Titus R. Walters, who was working as a drug informant for the sheriff's office. The story is gruesome and brutal. But, it's part of Key West History. You may also remember Bobby Marion Francis from another crime story in Key West. He was involved in a deal with Bum Farto, and you can hear that story here. Today in Key West History is a prod member of the Florida Keys Podcast Network. You can also find us at http://43keys.com.

Stephen Russell Mallory was an immigrant to Key West from the island of Trinidad. He grew up in Key West and learned the practice of law from local judges. His career was ascendant and he caught the attention of the President and received a position of Presidential appointment which was the springboard for many more important positions.  Stephen Mallory played a pivotal role in the Confederacy during the Civil War. He was eventually charged with treason and sought a Presidential Pardon to clear him of these charges. He eventually received a partial parole and was able to move past this scandal. With a dwindling fortune, he had to fall back on the practice of law to rebuild his life and reunite his family. His impact on the South during the Civil War was undeniable, but his service to his country didn't stop there as he held several powerful positions in Key West and in the state of Florida, as well as for the Confederacy.  If you're ever visiting Key West, you can learn more about Stephen Mallory and visit the world famous Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, which is held nightly. You can learn more about that here. It was today, March 26, 1851 that Stephen Mallory was appointed to be a US Senator by the Florida Legislature. And that's what happened Today in Key West History. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com. Today in Key West History is a proud member of the Florida Keys Podcast Network.               The source for the content of this podcast is The Florida Irish Heritage Center and you can find the article here.

Edward Ball was the estate manager for Alfred I. duPont, who had a reputation for pinching pennies and treating every transaction as if it was a business deal. He was a great financial manager, with questionable political allies. He used the power of his position to wield as much power over politics as he could. He never wanted to get his hands dirty himself, so he bought politicians to do it for him. It was today, March 23, 1941 that Ed Ball bought over 600 acres of land in Matecumbe, Little Torch and Sugarloaf Keys. And that's what happened Today in Key West History. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com. Today in Key West History is a proud member of the Florida Keys Podcast Network.  

Samuel Clemens spent lots of time on H.H. Rogers new steam yacht, Kanawha. At the time, the Kanawha was one of the largest privately owned (and fastest) steam yachts. In the summer of 1902, Clemens, Rogers, Thomas B. Reed and some other friends boarded Kanawha and set sail on a cruise around the Caribbean. Along the way, the stopped in Key West. And that's what happened Today in Key West History.  Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com. Today is Key West History is a proud member of the Florida Keys Podcast Network!    

What started out as military quarters has grown into a pivotal building in our country's history over the last 50+ years. It could be considered the original Winter White House, but we call it the Truman Little White House due to the fact that President Harry S. Truman truly fell in love with Key West while he was here. He even said the city was his second favorite city in the world - second only to his hometown. The Little White House has hosted dignitaries from many countries, as well as the President and top military brass of the United States. It's also been the site of several important documents that changed the course of history - The Key West Accord and The Marshall Plan are among them. Learn more about the role our island city of Key West and the Truman Little White House played in the history of the United States! Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com. Today in Key West History is a proud member of the Florida Keys Podcast Network. Content for this episode was provided by the National Park Service and can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/trumans_little_white_house.html

From ancient writings, we have always known that Leprosy had a stigma that many other diseases never have. Highly contagious and rife with gross symptoms that could be hard for the non-afflicted to stomach, those with leprosy have always been isolated, more so than treated. Leper colonies were created to help contain the disease and put it out of the public view. In a 1955 article called “Leprosy in the United States”, Dr. L.F. Badger documented the pockets of Leprosy within the United States. After looking at the data, it was determined that the majority of US cases of Leprosy occurred within just a few small communities.   One of the communities with Leprosy occurrences was Key West. Within Florida, only 11 out of 67 specific counties had reported incidences within a period of 33 years. One county stood out with a larger than typical concentration of the disease. That was Monroe County, which comprises the entirety of the Florida Keys. But it wasn’t the entire Keys that had reports of the disease - it was only Key West!   During this measurable period, the state of Florida reported 137 cases of Leprosy. Of those 137 cases, almost half (44.5%) were located in Monroe County. There were 96 patients who were born in Florida and just under 45% of them resided in Key West at the time they were diagnosed.    With a little more digging and pouring over the case histories of the 96 patients in Key West with Leprosy, it was determined that 78 of these patients probably contracted Leprosy while they were living in Key West! The rest of the patients most likely contracted the disease outside of Key West and could have brought the disease back to Key West.   This little discussed part of Key West history is interesting in that when you look at the location within the city where the Leprosy patients lived, it was determined that 65 of the patients diagnosed, actually resided within the city limits of Key West. What is even more surprising is that 56 of those 65 patients lived in what is now known as Old Town Key West. And a further concentration of 39 diagnosed patients lived within 5 square blocks of Old Town. This highest concentration area was the residential area that fronts what we refer to today as the Key West Bight!   It’s never been well documented what could have caused this outbreak of Leprosy within Key West, but the location of the diagnosed patients does seem to support the fact that they could have been exposed by other travelers and ships coming in and out of the bight.    And it was today, March 18, 1909: A man died of leprosy in a house on Virginia Street (which would have been in the outermost part of the affected area of the city). The house and all contents were destroyed by fire under the direction of Fire Chief Fulford. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com. The source for this content is: https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC2024574&blobtype=pdf

The Key West Agreement is the colloquial name for the policy paper Function of the Armed Forces and the Joint Chiefs of Staff drafted by James V. Forrestal, the first United States Secretary of Defense. Its most prominent feature was an outline for the division of air assets between the Army, Navy, and the newly created Air Force which, with modifications, continues to provide the basis for the division of these assets in the U.S. military today. The basic outline for the document was agreed to at a meeting of the United States service chiefs that took place from March 11 to March 14, 1948 in Key West, Florida, and was finalized after subsequent meetings in Washington, D.C. President Harry S. Truman approved the agreement on April 21, 1948, which was revised in 1954 by the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration. Today in Key West History is brought you by 43 Keys Media.  Today in Key West History is a proud member of the Florida Keys Podcast Network. The content for this episode came from a variety of sources: www.wikipedia.com Jason Lefkowitz's Blog

With a modest two-story hotel and various small cottages, Long Key Fishing Camp offered a dramatic departure from the usual opulence of Henry Flagler's hotels. Palatial structures with manicured grounds, extravagant recreational facilities, and world-class amenities were the norm at Flagler's other hotels that dotted the east coast of Florida--but not at Long Key, the last resort to open during his lifetime. Prospective visitors were frankly warned not to expect the same level of comfort provided at sister properties. Yet still they came. This rustic island, with its unparalleled fishing grounds and cabins named after local fish-- "The Kingfish," "The Porpoise," "The Barracoota," "The Shark"--inspired fierce loyalty among its diverse and distinctive clientele, even during the dark years of the Great Depression. Zane Grey, Lou Gehrig, Wallace Stevens, Charles Kettering, Andrew Mellon, and Herbert Hoover were among those who would board the Florida East Coast Railway to visit this paradisiacal setting, many of them to return season after season. Completely destroyed by the fatal 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, the first documented category 5 storm to make landfall in the United States, Flagler's unique island getaway has been largely forgotten. Today we share the famous baseball players who found refuge from the limelight at Long Key. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com Today is Key West History is a proud member of the Florida Keys Podcast Network.

The Louise Maloney Hospital was started out of sheer necessity. As the surgeon for Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway, Dr. John Maloney realized the need for a space to perform surgeries and operations after an accident on the railway construction site up the Keys caused multiple casualties. He then rented the house next to his pharmacy in Key West and turned it into just such a facility. He named it after his wife, Louise. In its first 4 years of existence, it served over 600 patients. The most famous patient to visit the small hospital was author Upton Sinclair. Upton was on passage on the Mallory steamship Alamo and became ill. Unable to make the trip all the way to New York, he was removed from the ship in Key West and hospitalized at the Louise Maloney hospital.  After a few days of treatment, he had recovered enough to proceed to New York. And that's what happened Today in Key West History.  Today is Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com. Today in Key West History is part of the Florida Keys Podcast Network!

Key West Fire Chief Joseph "Bum" Farto fell into the drug culture in Key West at a time when drugs were as mainstream in Key West as Key Lime Pie. He was so comfortable dealing drugs, that he actually made deals on the bench out in front of the Fire Station on Kennedy Ave. It was this lack of caution that led to his downfall. Operation Conch came along and took down more than 19 accused drug dealers in Key West. It also took down Bum Farto. Soon Farto would be tried and convicted of multiple counts of drug trafficking. Just prior to his sentencing, Farto told his wife he had an appointment in Miami, and he rented a car to make the trip. He took no clothes with him. He was expected to return his rental car the same day.  One month later, Farto's wife finally reported him missing. He hadn't been seen or heard from since the day he was headed to Miami. He just vanished without a trace. Shortly thereafter, t-shirts with the question "Where is Bum Farto?" began popping up around Key West. Those t-shirts became the hottest commodity in Key West at the time. Even Jimmy Buffet has performed at concerts wearing one of these shirts.  The question still has yet to be answered.  It was today, March 4, 1976, that Bum Farto's wife reported him missing. And that's what happened Today in Key West History. This show is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com.

As the population of Key West grew in the late 1800's, the island soon ran out of stove wood for cooking. This shortage created a new industry of charcoal makers and wood cutters. Most of the people who worked in this industry were black male immigrants from the Bahamas.  The men spread out to more unpopulated areas of the Keys and labored in the dense, mosquito infested woods of nearby uninhabited islands. At one point, the only inhabitant of Big Pine Key was a lone wood cutter.  They would find a thick grove of buttonwoods or red mangrove trees and cut them down, then put up a kiln to begin to dry the wood and make charcoal. The fires for the kiln had to be attended day and night. So, the woodcutters and charcoal makers would bed down beside their fires and kilns, only catching cat naps as they tended their fires.  The last charcoal maker burned his fire in 1960 and the industry gradually died out as gas and electric cooking stoves replace wood stoves.  And it was today, Feb. 25, 1893 that the 1893 directory for the City of Key West listed its inhabitants at 23,000. And that's what happened Today in Key West History. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can learn more about us at http://43keys.com. Today's image is of a charcoal makers shack on Sugarloaf Key in 1939. Photo credit: Stetson Kennedy Content credit:  https://keywestmaritime.org/journal/v22-4_2012summer.pdf John Viele has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Key West Maritime Historical Society of the Florida Keys for the past 20 years. He is the author of three books on the history of the Keys published by Pineapple Press of Sarasota: “The Florida Keys – A History of the Pioneers,” “The Florida Keys, Vol. 2 – True Stories of the Perilous Straits,” and “The Florida Keys, Vol. 3 – The Wreckers.”

A T2 tanker carrying molten sulphur went missing on Feb. 2, 1963. The tanker, SS Marine Sulphur Queen had so many maintenance issues and design flaws that it almost seems it was doomed from the start. The tanker last radioed its position as it crossed the Florida Straits in 16 ft. nearly following seas. The ship had a crew of 39 on board and had a history of fires and other repair issues.  What happened to the vessel, we don't exactly know. We just know that the Coast Guard searched for the ship for more than 21 days, and only found a slight debris field, just south of Key West. It was today, Feb. 21, 1963, that the Coast Guard called off the search for the SS Marine Sulphur Queen.  This podcast is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com.

David Wolkowsky became Mr. Key West. So much of the island charm and uniqueness has been preserved because of the actions of developer David Wolkowsky.  Born in Key West, he later moved to Miami when times got tough in the Keys. He returned to Key West when his father died and immediately began turn this island village into a respectable tourist destination. So many buildings around town still bear the mark of his influence, and his forethought has preserved Key West from becoming overtaken with sky scrapers and mega-developments. Nothing over 40 feet tall was his mandate! Wolkowsky built the Pier House Motel in 1967 and quickly turned it into a quirky retreat for writers, artists and creatives. He entertained the likes of Truman Capote and Jimmy Buffet. In fact, Jimmy Buffet says Wolkowsky was the first person to ever hire him. Jimmy played at the famous Chart Room Bar for awhile. It was today, Feb. 20, 1967 that David Wolkowsky began construction on the Pier House Motel. The Motel later opened in 1969. And that's what happened Today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43Keys.com. Photo Credit: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders for L’Uomo Vogue. Content courtesy of wikipedia.org.

BEFORE WORLD WAR II, the Ku Klux Klan was an important social and political force in Key West. And Manuel Cabeza ran afoul of that force. A native Conch and World War I veteran who was said to fear no one, Cabeza was deeply in love with a black woman, a well-known madam with whom he lived. In those days a white man might have a black mistress, but he was supposed to keep it strictly a backstreet affair. Manuel lived quite openly with his lover and so, a week before Christmas, 1921, the Klan visited him, bearing tar and feathers. Manuel fought with them and, during the struggle, managed to rip the masks off several of the faces so that he would later be able to identify them. Tar-and-feathering was not only excruciatingly painful, it often resulted in the victim's death. But Cabeza was tough and by Christmas Eve was recovered enough to take his revenge. He hired a taxi and began patroling Old Town, looking for the three men he had recognized. He caught up with William Decker, manager of one of Key West's large cigar factories on Duval Street. Cabeza fired a shot through the window of Decker's car, killing him. The taxi rolled on. But at the corner of Whitehead and Petronia, a group of Klan members caught up with Cabeza. According to newspaper accounts, "gunfire was exchanged." There was a standoff until two sheriff's officers arrived and Cabeza agreed to accompany them to the county jail. The sheriff called in Marines from the naval base (how about that for backup help?) to protect Cabeza from the Klan, but by midnight dismissed them, believing that all was quiet on the Key West front. Within an hour, five automobiles loaded with masked Klan members pulled up at the jail, and with pistols drawn, ordered the diminutive sheriff to let them in. The Klansmen proceeded to the second floor of the jail and beat Cabeza senseless with blackjacks. Then they dragged him down to the street, tied him to the rear bumper of the lead car and paraded him through the streets of Key West. Then they took him over to Flagler Avenue where they hanged him from a tree and riddled his body with bullets. This was the gruesome sight that greeted hundreds of Key Westers on Christmas morning of 1921. No one was ever arrested. This episode is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can learn more about us at http://43keys.com

Edwin Oliver Gwynn Sr. was born on October 9, 1820 in New Providence, Bahamas. He was an auctioneer for a tobacco company that made cigars. In 1839, EO Gwynn married Anne Pinder, with whom he had one child, in Nassau. In April of 1851, Anne was granted a divorce from EO in Key West, on the basis of desertion.  In 1855, Gwynn married Mary Elizabeth Pinder in the Bahamas. By 1860, EO Gwynn had come to Key West - drawn by the burgeoning cigar industry.    In 1864, Gwynn was elected as Mayor of Key West, where he served 2 consecutive terms, ending in 1867. He was elected to a 3rd term in 1874, and his 4th and final term as Mayor started in 1881.    By 1878, E.O. Gwynn owned a cigar factory in Key West, and he was exploring ways to expand his cigar production without being dependent on importing the tobacco from Cuba. He purchased 500 pounds of leaf tobacco that had been grown in Miami. He hoped at that time that tobacco could be raised in Miami in sufficient quantity that Key West manufacturers would not have to depend on purchasing their tobacco from Cuban growers. The attempt by the Miami grower to produce larger quantities of tobacco were unsuccessful and the experiment of growing tobacco in Miami was stopped after just 3 years.   By 1883, E.O. Gwynn was functioning in the capacity as the State of Florida’s Deputy Surveyor, stationed in Key West.    And because its Valentine’s Day, we have to direct the conversation to love. Love Lane in Key West is one of the most confusing streets because there isn’t just one Love Lane, there are 2 - one coming off Fleming St. and another off Southard St, but not meeting mid-block. Some maps also indicate that Gwynn Street, named for former Mayor and Cigar Tycoon E.O. Wynn is the actual lane that runs off Southard St. And yet another source cites Johnny Cake Lane as perhaps making up the northern half of Love Lane, and perhaps one time it did. As it turns out now, both the Fleming side and the Southard side are now call Love Lane. It seems that the reason they don’t meet in the middle is because the bungalow that bisects the lane was built on the down low and over the decades it has been allowed to stand and grandfathered in.   And it was today, Feb. 14, 1884:  that E.O. Gwynn, a native of the Bahamas, died. He was one of the early cigar makers in Key West.   And that’s what happened Today in Key West History.   Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com.    

Although it can be kind of expensive to visit Key West, if you know where to look, you can still find some free activities that will allow you to have a peek “behind the curtain” so to speak and glimpse how the locals live. One such glimpse takes you through the Key West of yester year.    Key West is a very historical city, having played a pivotal role in many wars over the years, and also with its proximity to Cuba, it has been the stopping point for many dignitaries and Presidents as they made their way to Cuba, the Panama Canal and even further South.   Key West architecture is unique in American history. It's structures created by real men with problem solving skills and varying experiences. In the city of Key West remains the largest collection of wood frame houses of any seaport in the country. In 1969, more than 300 wood houses were still standing that had been built before 1900, and at least one is more than 140 years old. Those 300 houses are concentrated in about 20 city blocks of the city. These buildings are distinctive. All a reflection of the individuals who built them. Twenty-one of these homes are included in the Pelican Path.   The Pelican Path is a self-guided walking tour that takes you to more than 50 historic locations in the city of Key West. Many of these locations are these private historical homes with unique architecture. Some of the places on the Pelican Path may actually be open for public tours, but many are occupied by private citizens living the good life in Key West. This tour is so informative and you can even get an official guide and map of the Pelican Path that gives you the historical context of the marked structure. You can pick up the guide at the Chamber of Commerce, or I’ll put a link on our website at www.43Keys.com where you can download your own copy.   You can do the tour in sections, a little bit at a time. You can do the tour on a bicycle or on foot. You can start and end the tour where ever you want, even though there are official designation points for starting and finishing. If you take your time on the tour, you can enjoy a few detours along the way for some great food and drinks, or possibly browsing through a shop or two.   Officially, the tour should take about 2 hours on foot. But we think you should give yourself more time to soak in the history of Key West, and let your imagination take you back in time to when those structures were first built. Many of them are fantastic by today’s standards, but think about how amazing these structures would have been more than 100 years ago. You’d probably have to have a chunk of change to purchase any of these structures today, but think about what it would have taken to accomplish this type of design and architecture back when they were built. These historic structures have survived multiple devastating hurricanes, a fire that destroyed most of Key West in 1886, and our harsh sub-tropical climate where termites thrive, salt covers everything, and the sun and wind are a constant foe.   The Pelican Path was the first self-guided walking tour of Key West and it was created by the Old Island Restoration Foundation. Whether you are a local or just come once to visit Key West, walking the Pelican Path is a fantastic was to see the “real” Key West. It’s not all of the tourist spots, but it’s a way to get connected to Key West history, the architecture that makes this such a unique community, and the characters that came before us that built this quaint little island into the paradise it is today.   And it was today, Feb. 12, 1964, that the Old Island Restoration Foundation completed The Pelican Path, the first self-guided walking tour of Key West.   And that’s what happened today in Key West History.   Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find out more about our glorious past and how to have more salty good times by visiting http://43keys.com. To get the FREE downloadable Pelican Path Map, click here: [wpforms id="430" title="false" description="false"]

During the economic boom in Cuba in the 1940's and 1950's, at least 4 airlines were established. With easy access to surplus US Air Force equipment, planes began to fly with former Air Force planes. These Cuban airlines were not all on the up and up, and their access to a joint civilian/military base in Colombia, made it particularly convenient as the source of smuggling contraband. Listen and learn all about the direct flights that were established between Key West and Havana.   This programs brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find us at http://43keys.com.

The saga of how Ernest and Pauline Hemingway landed in Key West is interesting in its own right. It's even more interesting when you find out how he ended up with an amazing house that is iconic as well. Today's episode gives you all the details of both! It was today, Feb. 8, 1964 that the Hemingway House was dedicated and opened as a Museum. http://43keys.com

The oldest house on Duval St. was built in 1829. This house stayed in the same family for over 140 years. Today, it serves as a lesson to all of us about how far we've come.  By looking back into this time capsule, we can see what the Key West of old was like. We can have an appreciation for how difficult life must have been at this remote outpost, far away from family and friends. Those previous generations stuck it out and created a better community that still impacts us today.  Learn more about the Oldest House on Duval and the family that lived there, listen to today's episode. You can find us at http://43Keys.com

Grace Jones was a Bahamian immigrant who lived in Marathon. He husband worked off shore in the sponge industry. She came to the Keys in 1912 and went on to raise her children here in the Keys.  During this time, the only schools were in Key West. So, it didn't matter where you lived, you had to send your children over an hour each way, just to provide them with an education. It didn't seem right that they couldn't be educated in their own community. Grace talked to everyone she could about it. The School District, The Mayor, the Governor - anyone who would listen. Eventually, she got her way, and the Grace Jones Daycare Center was opened in Marathon. It was a room in a church hall with a leaky roof, but at least they were close to home. From there, her mission expanded and so did the school. Today, the Grace Jones Childcare Center is the gold standard for early childhood education. Serving more than 100 families in the Middle Keys 

The Atocha has proved to be the motherlode for Mel Fisher's Treasure Hunters. Shipwrecked in 1622, it was loaded down with gold, copper, silver and emeralds. The Spanish crown tried for years to find it, and never succeeded. Mel Fisher and team tried for 16 years to find it - and finally had success! Then the court battle began - the State of Florida wanted to claim a large part of the treasure.  It was today, Feb. 5, 1986, that U.S. District Judge William O. Mehrtens ruled the wreckage of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha belonged to Treasure Salvors, the firm that found the galleon 45 miles west of Key West. And that's what happened Today in Key West History. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can visit us at http://43Keys.com. 

Mallory Square has long been a favorite Key West spot for viewing sunset. It's beloved by both tourists and locals. What started out as a gathering for hippies doing illegal activities, and the City trying to stop it, turned into a cultural preservation event. The daily sunset celebration at Mallory Square has turned into a festival with food vendors, performers, clowns, acrobats, and artisans. It's the only festival in the Keys where the artists who are selling their wares are actually required to make them with their own hands. They have to be able to demonstrate the making of the craft to a jury of their peers to even qualify to be at the event. This event is known the world over, and traveling performers often come to spend "season" in Key West and perform on the pier. This nightly event is the only free event for families in Key West.  If you're in Key West, you have to make plans to celebrate the sunset on the pier at least one night, if not more. Patronize the local artisans who work hard to produce beautiful crafts and great food. To learn more about the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square visit www.sunsetcelebration.org. Photo and content credit: Sunset Celebration, www.sunsetcelebration.org.

The Key West Greyhound Track was once billed as the Tiniest Track in America, this oval was located amid auto graveyards and cheap trailer parks in the poorest section of America’s most southeastern town. [this was actually on Stock Island] It was the literally the last stop on the road for young pups or aging greyhounds and the gullible tourists who bet them. About 100 people showed up to wager each night, maybe 200 on dime-a-beer Fridays. There were ample opportunities to cheat, and stories abound of switching the numbers on the dogs or sandpapering their paws. A guy we’ll call Tony, who worked at a kennel there, remembered it as “wide open, with excessive drinking, drugs and loose women, all with no police presence whatsoever.” So it came as no surprise who could be found there: Hunter Thompson. In 1992, the health department shut the track down due to a mysterious creek that had sprung up in the parking lot. It smelled suspiciously like dog pee. All vestiges of the place have since vanished, buried under the gentrification of the Conch Republic. Between Oct. 31, 1990 and Feb. 21, 1991, four trainers abandoned their kennels; many of the 171 abandoned dogs were grossly underweight at the time of discovery. In mid-February, a state inspector discovered that 51 greyhounds had been removed from the premises in violation of a racing judge’s order. The bodies of 15 of those dogs were dumped in the Cudjoe Key landfill before the state could determine how they were killed.  Owner Louis Stanley Berenson, also known as Buddy, was ordered to close the Key West (Fla.) Dog Track in March 1991 when a sewage system backed up and created a public health danger. According to Joy Mayne, a trainer who had dogs there, the sewer overflowed into the parking lot and created a puddle of liquefied feces 13 feet in length and 3 feet in width. In an emergency hearing before Van Jones, the director of the Florida Division of Parimutuel Wagering, others testifed that the greyhounds boarded there were emaciated, dehydrated and suffering from flea and tick infestation. Berenson agreed not to operate in Florida again. The long-closed Key West racetrack was demolished to make way for Meridian West Apartments, a nine-building, 102-unit gated community for low-income residents. Meridian West was completed in 2005. And it was today,  January, 31 1953: The new dog track on Stock Island, which was built in six weeks, drew an opening-night crowd estimated at 4,000. That's what happened Today in Key West History. You can find us at http://43Keys.com.  

Soon after we entered the aviation age, the race was on to travel further and faster with aircraft. It took awhile for "aeronauts" to begin to test their skills at crossing bodies of water. Soon, the English Channel was crossed for the first time. This exploration age set off the race to see who could get from Key West to Cuba successfully and complete the longest flight over a body of water.  Canadian James McCurdy wanted to be the first, and he got sponsors. Meanwhile, 2 Cubans were also getting their flight school certifications to do the same thing. There was a $5000 prize for the first one to make the crossing without crashing.  It was today, Jan. 30, 1911 that James McCurdy made his first attempt at crossing and failed. He crashed in a light chop about 10 miles from Havana. When the Navy picked him up, he was kicking sharks away and blowing cigarette smoke! And that's what happened today in Key West History.   This show is brought to you by 43 Keys Media and you can find us at http://43Keys.com.

During his lifetime, Jimmy Hoffa had a long term relationship with the Florida Keys. He was known to come to Marathon for fishing excursions. He frequented local hotels and restaurants. He even pulled off a deal for the Teamsters to purchase Casa Marina Hotel at some point. He was a larger than life character and loved by all, unless he double crossed you and then you hated him. It was today, Jan. 29, 1961 that Jimmy Hoffa declared, "Key West has the most pleasant climate in the United States.” And that's what happened Today in Key West History! You can find us at http://43keys.com.  

January 28, 1979: Famous writer and Key West resident Tennessee Williams and his friend, Datson Rader, were assaulted on Duval Street. Both men were punched, but neither needed medical attention.

It didn't take long for a crowd to gather as Captain Demerritt pulled into port with a sizable catch. While out on troll offshore, Demerritt and his son, William had simultaneously caught a monster Kingfish weighting 67 pounds and a Sailfish weighing about 60 pounds.  The Kingfish was only a few pounds shy of the record of the largest Kingfish ever caught in Florida since records have been kept.  Crowds gathered to see the giant fish and hear the story of the catch. It was today, January 27, 1924 that the Monster Kingfish was brought into port. And that's what happened today in Key West History. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about the amazing history of the Florida Keys, visit http://43keys.com.

The Florida Keys have long been a favorite destination for fishing, frequented by US Presidents, Heads of State and other politicians. Herbert Hoover was no exception to this. For almost 40 years, he made regular fishing excursions with his favorite guide, Calvin Albury of the Key Largo Angler's Club. Hoover never tired of fishing in the ocean and came as often as he could. Hoover's fishing exploits spanned an 80 year period, which basically meant he fished from the time he was big enough to hold a pole. He loved all types of fishing, but the Key's held a special place in his heart. Listen to learn about the special memento that Hoover bestowed upon Calvin Albury. It's an awesome story! Content for this show was sourced from the Herbert Hoover Museum Blog. And it was today, Jan. 26, 1929 that Herbert Hoover was in Key Largo fishing for sailfish. And that's what happened Today in Key West History. Today in Key West History is brought you by 43 Keys Media.  You can find us at http://43keys.com.

In the late 1960s, Jimmy Buffett was living in Nashville and trying to start a career as a folk country musician. He cut two albums, but only 1970s down to earth, which didn't actually do very well was released his record company at the time claim to have lost the Masters to the second album. So Jimmy Buffett and Jerry Jeff Walker, who you might know from Mr. Bo J. angles, headed down to Key West in 1971. It was right after Jimmy's marriage to his high school sweetheart had broken up, they were essentially broke at the time and they decided they were going to try to eke out a living and keep us busking and play music gigs during this time in the 1970s he performed at the pier house at night and then during the day at the famous Captain Tony saloon. If you're ever in Captain Tony saloon, there are some great pictures of Jimmy Buffett and obviously Captain Tony there on the wall. The tradition of busking for tips is something that continues it kept in Tony's and many other bars and even on the streets of Key West, and of course it happens every night at Mallory square sunset celebration. So if you're ever around and you see people on the street playing music or you're down at the sunset celebration, make sure you give a tip to the buskers because that's how they earn their living. Jimmy Buffett's experiences in Key West became the best content for riding his songs. When Jimmy Buffett's friend and mentor, Jim Croce died, ABC Dunhill taps Jimmy Buffett to feel crocheted place on their roster that led to the classic 1973 album white sport coat and a pink crustacean followed quickly in 1974 by living and dying and three quarter time and a one a Naturally, the songs from these albums are now iconic songs that are mainstays of Jimmy Buffett's tours. Many of Jimmy Buffett's best songs are about Key West and Captain Tony figures prominently into several of them, most notably last mango in Paris. Jimmy Buffett says there are a few places on earth that he can be where the creative juices naturally flow for him. Key West is one of those places it also happens to be that for him, New Orleans is one of those places both cities steeped in culture, ocean side communities that are laid back and have just a real appreciation for the arts and music culture that Jimmy Buffett songs creates the island thing that carefree Island type songs are loved by many people. And it brings about just an astrologer of your last vacation at the beach. what it was like to just sit out and eat under opening kdine with the birds flying in and maybe dolphins coming up in the ocean or manatees just gives you a relaxing vibe. And Key West does that for Jimmy Buffett. In fact, many times over the course of the year since Jimmy Buffett was a regular resident in Key West, he showed back up and played different concerts, many times impromptu having a street concert and that sort of thing. So you can occasionally find Jimmy Buffett still in Key West today. Generally, it's unannounced. He grabs a guitar wherever he is. And he hops on stage and thrills his fans. If you're ever in Key West, and Jimmy Buffett's here, you might also find him riding anywhere around town on a bicycle. So it can happen. In recent years, Jimmy Buffett bought the Westin Hotel and it's now Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville so you can bet that when Jimmy Buffett comes to town, we know where he's going to be playing next. And it was today January 25, 1988 that local resident and nationally known singer Jimmy Buffett presented keywords Mayor Richard Heyman with a check for $15,000 toward the purchase of the Salt Ponds and a check for $2700 for the use of Wickers Field where the salt ponds benefit concert was held. And that's what happened today in Key West history. This program is brought to you by 43 keys media. If you want to learn more about our glorious past and the famous celebrities that have been part of it, visit http://43keys.com. You can also learn more about what's going on right now in Key West by visiting http://43keys.com. You can get this program as an Alexa flash briefing. You can find it on YouTube, and you can also find it anywhere you listen to podcasts. So wherever you're listening, subscribe and never miss an episode. We'll see you over at http://43keys.com.  

Sally Rand was an internationally acclaimed feather dancer. She would tease audiences with 2 large ostrich feathers. She spent time as a vaudeville dancer too. Back in the day, she was highly sought after and performed in numerous theater productions. She even had her own show at one point called Sally Rand Nude Ranch. She had a couple of run-ins with the law over her risque dancing! It was today, January 24, 1948 that Sally Rand, internationally known fan dancer, appeared at the dance and casino sponsored by the Arthur Sawyer Post, American Legion, a March of Dimes benefit. Miss Rand was a part-time resident of Key West. And that's what happened Today in Key West History.  Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find out all about our infamous history by visiting http://43Keys.com. You can get this program, as well as others, as an Alexa flash briefing. You can find our programs on YouTube and anywhere you listen to podcasts. Subscribe today and don't miss an episode!

Born in Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas on Sept. 21, 1821, William Curry had always heard the tales of the fortunes that could be made in a nearby city call Key West. At the age of 15, Curry came to the island of Key West as a penniless immigrant, with nothing more than outsized ambition going for him. He arrived in 1837, when Key West was the wealthiest city in the state, and had the most per capita wealth of any city in the country. At that time the main industry was wrecking.    Curry’s work history began as humble as any of ours has. He got a job as a clerk in the office of Weever & Baldwin. The position paid $1 a week and also included room and board. He left Key West for several years to fight in the Seminole War, but eventually landed back in Key West, where he began his climb up the corporate ladder in earnest.   He rose in the ranks to become the US quartermaster, and went on to be named a partner in a firm. He eventually ascended to take over the firm in 1861. William Curry had an innate business sense that served him well. He was able to amass a fortune through his various business holdings and investments - a retail mercantile, wrecking, ship building, and of course, his investments in the stock market.   Curry’s story is the epitome of the “American Dream” - rags to riches story, that gives all of us a glimmer of hope. William married his wife, Euphemia and together they raised 8 children. Eventually, 3 of the children formed the William Curry’s Sons Company and ran the family business through that entity.    William Curry also had a keen eye for real estate, and during the course of his life, he acquired quite a portfolio of some prime Key West real estate. His own personal home, that’s referred to today as The Curry Mansion, was quite impressive. However, the structure that we see standing today is actually the rebuilt version of the home. The original home was virtually all demolished in 1905, and save for the stone hearth and chimney, Milton Curry, a son of William rebuilt the structure entirely. This rebuild included large amounts of then plenteous Date County Pine and lots of ornate and decorative carving that is emblematic of the Georgian revival style.    The 22 room mansion sits like a Gingerbread castle at 511 Caroline St., and to this very day captivates all who pass by.   At the time of his death, William Curry had become Florida’s first self-made millionaire. With an estate valued at $1.5 million, he was at the time, the riches man in Florida.    And it was today, Jan. 23, 1896 that William Curry died. He was survived by his wife and 8 children.    And that’s what happened Today in Key West History.   Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can learn all about our glorious past and what’s currently going on in the beautiful Florida Keys by visiting http://43keys.com.   You can find this show and others as an Alexa Flash Briefing, you can find us on YouTube, FB and anywhere you listen to podcasts. So, where ever you listen to the show, subscribe to never miss an episode. Then join us over at www.43keys.com.

Despite having decades in the late 1800's where Key West had the highest amount of wealth per-capita, as well as being the largest city in Florida, it wasn't until 1926 that Key West experienced its first taste of luxury. Having confirmed its status as a bonafide city by re-inventing itself after the collapse of the wrecking industry, Key West continued to draw an elite class into its vortex. Politicians, Heads of State, writers and more celebrities than you could imagine were making Key West a destination of choice! During this time, Key West also began making a concerted effort to promote itself as a tourist destination. However, until 1926, there were really no true luxury accommodations to speak of. There were plenty of lavish private homes of the rich and well-heeled, but not all wealthy tourists had access to them.  The LaConcha Hotel was really the first of its kind in Key West. It was a true luxury hotel, complete with private bathrooms, marble tile and it even had an elevator. The LaConcha remains the tallest building on the island today.  Located in the heart of the Duval St. Historic district, it is an icon for locals and tourists alike. After its opening, the LaConcha has a history of hosting many famous people, and it remains a favorite spot to view the island - from the top of the tallest building on the island! You can check out the LaConcha Hotel at https://www.laconchakeywest.com. Book a stay and come see us! The LaConcha Hotel is one of the few hotels in Key West that have attained the distinction of being on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as being inducted into the Historic Hotels of America program. There are strict requirements to attain both of these designations. The LaConcha has managed to preserve its history and evolve as a modern destination. It was today, January 22, 1926 that the LaConcha Hotel first opened its doors to the public. There was entertainment and a private dinner attended by 175 well-connected Key Westers!  And that's what happened Today in Key West History.  You can visit us at http://43keys.com to find out more about our beautiful Florida Keys. You can also find this program and others as an Alexa Flash Briefing. You can find us on YouTube and anywhere you get your podcasts.  Where ever you find us, subscribe so that you don't miss a single episode!

If I described a leader as a failed business man - multiple times, someone who struggled with alcohol, a military man who couldn't stand the uniforms, and a novice politician, you'd probably think I was describing a failed leader who quickly fell off the pages of history.  However, this description fits one of the most influential men in US history in the 19th century! With many accomplishments and a victory in the Civil War, we could only be talking about Ulysses S. Grant!  Learn some little known facts about him on Today in Key West History. It was today, Jan. 21, 1880 that Ulysses S. Grant and rode into town and was the guest of honor at the Jefferson Hotel on Duval St. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Visit us at http://43Keys.com

The dream of one man changed the isolation of the Florida Keys for all time. Henry Flagler was a native New Yorker and he was born in 1830. He only went to school up until the eighth grade. But later on, he went on to establish the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller - that was in 1870 and he became very wealthy. After that, in 1885, he purchased a shoreline railroad between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, and then he began expanding it toward Miami. Miami was at that time only a very small settlement, not the big metropolis that it is. Now, Flagler had a vision and the vision of his railroad went to Miami. But beyond Miami, he wanted to connect the mainland to the deep port of Key West. At this time, Key West was a booming city it had more than 10,000 residents and it had the highest concentration of wealth of any city in the country. Flagler might have also had in the back of his mind that if he could connect the railroad to Key West, then he could also connect the railroad to Cuba. His railroad extended to Homestead by 1904, and after that he began work on connecting the entire Florida Keys. By 1908, the railroad had connected Homestead to Marathon,. Marathon became a boomtown - ships brought their cargoes of Cuban pineapples and limes, and they were loaded on the railway cars and shipped North. The railroad turnaround from Marathon to Homestead was at the Knights Key Campground. It's just recently been demolished and a brand new resort is still being built right there. It took a whole lot of engineering to overcome that seven mile gap between Marathon and Bahia Honda. During the construction of this section of the railroad, construction work was hampered by devastating hurricanes both in 1909 and 1910. But on January 22, 1912, Henry Flagler, who was now the ripe old age of 82, finally rode his dream from Homestead to Key West. He jumped in the railroad car and went across 42 stretches of sea over 17 miles of concrete, viaducts, and concrete and steel bridges, over 20 miles of filled calls ways ultimately covering 128 miles from island to island, and it was the culmination of his grand vision. Henry Flagler entered Key West that day a hero. Henry Flagler died the following year, and probably never knew that his big dream his vision, his flight of fancy had changed the course of the Florida Keys forever. It was today January the 18th, 1912, that John J. Frawley of the Lubin Manufacturing Company was in Key West to film the arrival of the first train on Henry Flagler's Railroad, and also to get some footage of the other industries of the city. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today, in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find this and other programs as an Alexa flash briefing. You can also find us on YouTube and anywhere you listen to your podcasts. You can also find out more about our glorious past and the Florida Keys and even what's going on right now by visiting http://43keys.com.

When President Donald Trump visited Key West late last year, it was the first time in nearly 55 years for a sitting US president to visit Key West. Prior to that, the last time was when John F. Kennedy stopped by to inspect the defenses of Key West and provide some positive publicity for South Florida. And that was in November of 1962, following the Cuban Missile Crisis. Key West's location and climate has a long history of drawing in the top executives, not just from companies but also from the most powerful nation in the world. US presidents have loved Key West for years. One of the most famous visitors was Harry Truman. Harry Truman came to Key West 11 times during his presidency. He always ended up staying at the Navy's officer residence. And that house is now called Truman's Little White House. Ulysses S. Grant was the first US president to visit Key West. He came in 1880, it was 11 years after leaving office, while traveling with Civil War General, Phil Sheridan. They were on a steamship from New Orleans bound for Havana, but had to stop in Key West for the day. That was during the period when Key West was one of the largest cities in Florida and also one of the wealthiest. Another Civil War leader, Jefferson Davis had also visited Key West. He stopped by in 1867, the day after he was released from prison on bail. Key West is a good place to go when you just get out of jail! In his first term as President, Grover Cleveland also stopped by Key West in 1889. He spent a few hours in the city and he was shown around the island in carriages, and there was a public reception held at the Russell House. William Howard Taft came to Key West on Henry Flagler's Overseas Railway. The year was 1912. That was just 11 months after the railway opened and President Taft was on his way to inspect the Panama Canal. But of course he had to come to Key West first and then get on a ship. And Calvin Coolidge also stopped by Key West on his way back from a meeting in Cuba. That year was 1928 and he had just finished speaking at a big conference in Cuba. Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited Key West six times between 1917 and 1939, he was practically a snowbird. His first stop was when he was young Assistant Secretary of the Navy and he was en route to Cuba as well. After Roosevelt was stricken with polio, he spent several winters in the Keys on a houseboat. And then he also came back to Key West as president in 1939. It was a very different ride then as he was coming down the overseas highway, in an open air convertible. And you can be sure that Key West always appreciated this type of attention from the chief executive, as many of our streets in Key West our name for Presidents - there's Truman Avenue, there's Einsenhower and Kennedy Dr. Dwight Eisenhower first came to Key West before he became president. He was the Presiding Officer of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when he came and he spent 21 days at the Little White House, trying to recover from an illness. Guess who recommended that he do that? You got it - Harry Truman. Eisenhower also returned in 1955 when he was recovering from a heart attack. You're seeing the theme here. People love to come to Key West to recuperate from all the ills of the rest of the world. President Kennedy came through a trip on Key West back in March of 1961. And he met the British Prime Minister here in Key West for a summit. So prior to Donald Trump visiting at the end of last year, John F. Kennedy's visit to Key West in 1962 was the last time a sitting president came to Key West. A couple other presidents visited us, but it was after they had left the office. Jimmy Carter came down. Bill Clinton has been here. gGeorge HW Bush had a lovely little fishing hidey hole that he liked to come and do some fishing in Islamorada. We heard a lot about that after he passed away last year many many stories were told about the wonderful interactions people had with him while he was in Islamorada. And it was today, January 17 1928, that President Calvin Coolidge and his wife arrived in Key West uponreturning from the sixth Inter-American Conference held in Havan. They arrived by ship. And once they arrive, the mayor showed him around, showed him the Naval Station, the Army barracks, the airport and then they took a ride along beautiful Ocean Avenue, what we call today, North and South atRoosevelt Boulevard. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You want to learn all about our illustrious past and even what's going on today in Key West, visit http://43keys. com. You can get this program, as well as others, as an Alexa flash briefing. And you can find this on YouTube and anywhere that you listen to podcasts. So don't forget to subscribe and we'll see you over at http://43keys.com.

Roger Foster, the 17 year old admitted killer of the charter boat, Dream Girls, two man crew was brought to us by a Coast Guard vessel and was immediately whisked away from the docks by FBI agents and Key West Police officers. The husky youth, wearing a t-shirt and pants stained with blood, was held for 15 minutes aboard the Coast Guard Cutter after its arrival, and then hurried to waiting automobile. Both his hands were bandaged and he appeared dazed and he was led ashore as an FBI agent held him firmly by one arm and Sheriff Henry Haskins held the other. The cutter also towed the Dream Girl into port. Her deck was spattered with blood. "I murdered them and threw them overboard." Foster told Coast Guardsmen whenever the charter boat was found on Friday, after a wide search, out of fuel about 20 miles from the coast of communist Cuba. The 17 year old youth was alone on the deck. He said he had killed the captain Douglas Trevor age 47 and his son Edward, 22, who was the First Mate. Foster apparently chartered the sport fishing boat, possibly in a mad effort to reach Cuba for an attempt to assassinate Fidel Castro. After earlier attempting to kill himself in a Key West motel room. A crowd of about 100 had gathered across the boat slip from the Coast Guard dock. The FBI said it would confer with the sheriff's department to determine who had jurisdiction. Newsmen were not permitted to talk to Foster in the waiting room where grief stricken relatives and friends of the Trevor's and Fosters father, Dr. H. A. Foster a Griffin, GA physician. Until the boats arrival, details of the sinister sea tragedy had been withheld from him, presumably because of a weak heart. The Dream Girl was found after a wide search. After reaching it, Coast Guardsmen gave Foster first aid and put him under guard and took the boat in tow. A suicide note found in Rogers blood spattered Key West motel room had said, "I think I'm insane." It urged authorities, "do not publicize my death. And be careful when you tell my father because he has a bad heart." A Key West Naval Physician, Lieutenant Terrell Tanner refused to tell newsmen where his friend, Dr. Foster, was spending the night. "I intended to break the news to him on Saturday" Tanner said, "I think it would be better for him to have what rest he can before he hears what the Coast Guard found." A picture of mental turmoil over American Nazi-ism, the Communist Party and Cuba's dictator Fidel Castro begin shaping up from information police gathered about Roger Foster. He was described by his mother in Griffin as "a brilliant boy who seemed to have stranger ideas" that prompted his parents to have him interviewed by a psychologist. "Maybe he was trying to get to Cuba and go after Castro on his own", Ms. Foster said. Roger tried to start an Anti-communism club at Griffin High School. Rogers mother said distress over a knee injury that prevented him from competing in school athletics may have led him to disappear Monday without leaving any word. At Key West, Roger evidently arranged passage on the Trevor's boat, Dream Girl. Shortly after noon on Thursday the Trevor's departed and it was sometime during the course of the afternoon that a struggle ensued, and both Captain Douglas and his son Edward were killed. Foster eventually pled not guilty to the murders - by reason of insanity. He was then committed to a mental institution, and later ended up standing trial for the murders of the Trevor's. But it was today January 15, 1971, that Roger Foster who admitted he killed charter boat Captain Douglas Trevor and his son Edward off the Marquesas Keys in 1963, was found guilty of second degree murder. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about our historical and potentially criminal past visit http://43keys.com. You can get this program as well as others as an Alexa flash briefing. You can also find us on YouTube so go there and subscribe and visit us at http://43keys.com.

In late 1949, 100 years after the peak of the California Gold Rush, Pink Gold was discovered off the Florida Keys near Dry Tortugus. The “gold” was a grooved variety of shrimp called “pink” shrimp in the industry – scientifically Panaeus duorarum. In early 1950, the first shrimpers arrived in Key West looking to off load and process their treasures. On February 11, 1950, The New York Times likened the Pink Gold Rush to that of the Klondike gold strike in the late 1890’s. More than 100 vessels were already at Key West with another 100 reported to be on their way. Fishing vessels and companies “staked claims” to docking space and freezing facilities; ice was being imported from Miami and rooms were hard to come by. The Paulsen-Webber Cordage Corporation reported an upsurge in the demand of “shrimp rope” and wire rope and shifted all production schedules to give priority to the urgent requests. “Pink Gold,” being nocturnal feeders, meant the best catches were made at night but the lack of sounding equipment and the presence of coral formations made fishing difficult. Continuing the trend at WW II’s end, the new trawlers being built were larger, more powerful, better equipped, and capable of longer distances from port and longer times at sea. In 1950, the fleet expansion continued rapidly with the desire, not only for “Pink Gold,” but also for fishery exploratory work looking for latent resources and the expansion of existing fisheries. Many of the shrimp trawlers were built in St. Augustine soon to be known as “Shrimp Boat City.” The Pink Gold Rush prompted St. Augustine to shift focus from catching shrimp to building shrimp trawlers (both shrimping and boatbuilding were a part of St. Augustine’s economy since early 20th century). The boat builders and their suppliers of propellers, engines, rigs, nets, generators, and other machinery saw sales grow to unprecedented levels. The Key West docks quickly filled to capacity and shrimpers began to use San Carlos Island and Estero Island dock to unload their catches. In 1954, other pink shrimp grounds were discovered around Sanibel Island, and Mexico. The heyday of the Pink Gold Rush was during the 1950s and 1960s and although the shrimp industry faces competition from farmed shrimp today, the shrimp fleet of San Carlos Island still off-loads wild pink shrimp. If you are ever in Key West and want to try out our delicious Pink Shrimp, you need to ask if the shrimp dish you are ordering is actually made with Key West Pink Shrimp. It's normally specified on the menu and if it isn't mentioned, it probably isn't. There's one way we always verify that we are eating pink shrimp and it's because Key West Pink Shrimp typically have a small dot on either side of their shell in about the 3rd or 4th abdominal bend. It looks like someone took a Sharpie and made a dot on either side. When you see that, you know you are eating the real thing! And it was today, Jan 12, 1952 that 200 Shrimping vessels were operating out of Key West. It was said that you could walk from one end of the marina to the other without ever touching water. And that's what happened today in Key West History! Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about our delicious past, and our glorious future in Key West, visit http://43keys.com.  You can get this program as well as others, as an Alexa Flash Briefing. You can also find us on YouTube, and whereever you get your podcasts. Until then, join us for the fun over at http://43keys.com.

There's a menace going on on the streets of Key West, as documented by the historic archive of the Key West citizen. And I quote, "Fully realizing that it is treading on sacred ground to interfere with the pleasures and pastimes of the little folks, The Citizen desires to call attention to the numerous complaints now made about boys and girls on roller skates monopolizing the sidewalks. In certain portions of the city, roller skating on sidewalks is a dangerous pastime dangerous for the children on skates, and very unsafe for pedestrians. It is not an uncommon sight to see a bevy of boys and girls, and frequently of girls only, skating along sidewalks at a fearful rate of speed. They seem to turn corners with complete abandonment and are likely to knock down persons turning the corner in an opposite direction. These children seem to think nothing of skating across the wall street in the thick of traffic, throwing themselves recklessly under the protection of the special Providence that is claimed to exist for the protection of children. Nothing short of a miracle keep some of them from being run over by automobiles on this busy thoroughfare. Climbing the post office steps is said to be another feat most creditably executed by children on skates, much to the discomfort of people entering and leaving the building. With the ever increasing volume of traffic on the streets of Key West, serious or even fatal accidents may be expected in the future. If this practice of skating on the streets and sidewalks is not checked, should a little life be snuffed out this way, all the admonitions of sad parents could not bring that little life back again. And it may be all the result of some fond parents not forbidding their children to race on the streets on roller skates. And it was today January 11, 1926, that The Key West Citizen took a stand against the menace of skating on the sidewalks and the streets and of parkour happening on the post office steps. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To find out about all of the big historical events and the little ones, visit http://43keys.com. If you want to come to Key West and skate and scooter, or ride your skateboard, come on down and visit us. You can find this show and more as an Alexa briefing. You can also find us on YouTube and anywhere you listen to your podcast. In the meantime, until see you again visit us at http://43keys.com.

Key West was an awkward place to live when the Civil War broke out.   The heavy military presence on the island meant that much of the island supported Union efforts, and with the critical Naval base fortified against capturing from the Confederacy, the island became even more firmly entrenched as a critical port for the Union during the Civil War.   The military had no plans to give up control of Fort Taylor or Fort Jackson, and military battalions were sent in to make sure those bases were firmly in Union control. Fort Taylor played a central role in the sea blockade carried out by the Union Army. soldiers   During this time, Key West had many prominent residents that were deeply Southern. They may not have been as committed to the Confederate as folks from Charleston or Savannah, but locally there was a contingent of Confederate sympathizers. The majority of Key West residents at the time were from the North, the Bahamas or Cuba, so many of the international transplant didn’t have a strong opinion about the war.    Although the state of Florida seceded from the Union, Key West remained under Union control. In fact, the Key West lighthouse was the only lighthouse in Florida that did not come under the control of the Confederacy. During this period, Key West was Florida’s largest and wealthiest city, so despite it’s small geographic footprint, its critical location and status in Florida gave it the ability to control its own fate more than other cities.   Inside the city of Key West, there were very clear alliances being made. On January 29, 1863, the Department of the South ordered that all Key Westers who had relatives in the Confederate Army and who had declined to take the oath of allegiance to the Union, or who had even spoken words disloyal about the Union were to be deported to Ft. Royal, SC, behind the rebel lines. As Union Commanders were preparing to carry out the order, the town was buzzing. Many seething at the audacity of such an order and others indignant that they were being forced out of their homes. This order brought protests from both Union sympathizers and Confederate loyalists.    Property was being sold, people were crying in the streets and it was just complete chaos. The Union men lodged a protest and soon Colonel T.H. Good was sent to Key West with the authority to suspend the deportation order if he saw fit. The day the deportation transport was set to leave with 600 Key West Confederate sympathizers aboard, Colonel Good arrived and immediately suspended sailing.    And it was today, January 10, 1861 that the State of Florida seceded from the Union, with Key West remaining loyal to the Union. Key West was the only southern city to remain in the United States during the Civil War.        

Sand key is situated next to a channel that leads to Key West. It's located roughly eight miles to the north west of Key West. In normal conditions, a significant amount of sand accumulates on the submerged reefs at Sand Key and it actually creates a small island. Soon after the United States took possession of Florida in 1821, a wooden daymark was placed on the island to warn mariners of this navigational hazard. Lighthouses to mark Florida's reef had just recently been completed at Cape Florida, Key West and the Dry Tortugas, when Congress allocated $16,000 on May 18, 1826 for a lighthouse on Sand Key. The plans for this tower were similar to those us for the other three calling for a 70 foot conical brick tower, exhibiting a light from 11 lamps set in 14 inch reflectors. Sand Keys light revolved, producing a flashing signature that differentiated it from the nearby fixed light at Key West. The first keeper of Sand Key Lighthouse was slated to be Joseph Ximenez. However, keeper John Flaherty and his wife Rebecca were having a terrible time adjusting to their isolated lives on the Dry Tortugas. So the collector of customs at Key West, William Pinckney arranged for the two keepers to trade assignments. Shortly after the Flaherty's arrived on the island, Sand Key Light was exhibited for the first time on April 15, 1827. With fisherman, wreckers and picnickers from Key West frequenting the island, the Flaherty's thoroughly enjoyed their new social life. Their joy however, was short lived as John became very sick in May of 1828, and then passed away in 1830. Rebecca remained on the island and was appointed keeper after her husband's death. In June of 1831, William Randolph Hackley, and attorney in Key West, recorded the following account of a visit he made at Sand Key Lighthouse. "The wind was so light that we did not get to the Key until noon. I went up to the lighthouse. The light is revolving and it's one of the best in the United States. It's kept by Mrs. Flaherty. She with her sister and a hired man are the only inhabitants of the Key and sometimes there are none but the two females. The length of the key is from 150 to 200 yards, and the average breath 50 yards. We remain till evening and having spent a pleasant day, returned to town around 8pm. The November 23, 1834 edition of the Florida Herald reported a wedding on Sand Key Lighthouse. Rebecca Flaherty had married Captain Frederick Neill. The newlyweds took a lengthy trip the next year to visit family while, a temporary keeper watched the light. Upon their return, Captain Neil was appointed the keeper and served in this role until he resigned in February 10 of 1836. Captain Francis Wallington was the next keeper maintaining the light until July 27, 1837, when the colorful Captain Joshua Appleby succeeded him. Born in Rhode Island in 1773, Appleby became a widower at a young age when his first wife, Sarah Vaille died at 23. Leaving him alone to care for their one year old daughter, Eliza. In 1820, Appleby sailed for the Florida Keys, where he co founded a settlement on Vaca Key and made a living from the sea through fishing, turtling and salvaging shipwrecks. Appleby's salvaging practices were soon called into question as he was accused of conspiring with a privateer, Charles Hoffner, to intentionally run aground vessels captured by Hoffner so the cargo could be salvaged and sold. Commander David Porter, head of the naval Squadron a key was responsible for eradicating piracy had Apple be arrested in 1823, and takeen to the irons in Charleston, South Carolina. Appleby must have been innocent or had friends in high places as he was released after Smith Thompson, the Secretary of the Navy and President James Monroe reviewed the case. Upon securing his freedom, Appleby returned to Rhode Island for a time and then he relocated to Key West. In 1830, the government granted Appleby a license as a wrecker, a trade he practiced for several years. Then on July 27, 1837, he accepted an appointment as the head keeper of Sand Key Lighthouse. While Applebee's livelihood had previously depended on ships misfortunes, it was now his duty to keep these ships safely away from the reef. During Applebee's tenure at the lighthouse, hurricanes struck Sand Key in 1841 and 1842. With the 1842 hurricane destroying the keepers dwelling and seriously damaging the land. In 1843, a seawall was built around the lighthouse to properly provide protection from the storm surge that accompanied the hurricanes. The following year, that wall was put to the test and it failed. The new keepers dwelling was swept away along with a good portion of the island. Applebee's daughter, Eliza, have visited the lighthouse on October 1846, along with her husband and their three year old son, and Mary's adopted daughter. On October 11th, a hurricane described as "the most destructive have any that has ever visited these latitudes and the memory of man" hit Sand Key. As the hurricane strengthen, Appleby in his five visitors very likely sought refuge in the lighthouse, since the tower had withstood previous storms. The seawall again proved no match for the hurricane as the raging seas swept across the island washing away the dwelling, tower, and the island itself. The following morning waves were observed rolling over the reef where the island had been and no trace of the lighthouse could be seen. Still the reef posed a threat to vessels and Honey, a 140 ton ship was soon purchased in New York recommissioned as a light ship and sent to Florida to mark Sand Key. Congress acted quickly as well, allocating $20,000 on March 3, 1847 for a new Sand Key lighthouse. And then adding an additional some of $39,970 and 74 cents to the project in 1848. Before the new lighthouse was completed, at least eight vessels had run aground on the reef resulting in a loss of over $420,000. Although lighthouses were expensive to construct, the reduction in lost cargo easily offset the investment. Hurricanes struck Sand Key lighthouse tower again in 1856 and 1865, followed by the twin hurricanes of 1870, and another one in 1875. Each hurricanes swept away most of the island and the station's Wharf, boathouse, privy and oil house were destroyed multiple times. By 1875, the dwelling perched in the tower had suffered so much abuse at the hands of the hurricanes that it to had to be replaced using a $20,000 appropriation made by Congress in 1874. As the bolts used to hold the dwelling together were thoroughly rusted, much cutting was required to remove the old structure before it could be replaced with a new, heavier one. During the periods between hurricanes when sand built back up around the lighthouse, thousands of terns congregated on Sand Key to nest. Eggs were found to be quite tasty and the light housekeepers would collect him by the basket full to deliver to their friends in Key West. At one point, it was reported that nine to 12,000 birds used to nest on Sand Key, but so many eggs were taken only two or 300 young ones hatched. On neighboring islands, birds would be killed by plume hunter seeking fancy feathers to adorn ladies hats. Eventually, Sand Key Lighthouse came under control of the Coast Guard. The light was automated and the dwelling on that lighthouse was vacated on June 1, 2017. The Sand Key Lighthouse was deemed access by the Coast Guard and was made available under the guidelines of the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act to eligible entities. And it was today, January the 9, 1827, that construction began on the first lighthouse on Sand Key. It was completed in 70 days. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. You can find out more about our glorious past by visiting http://43keys.com. You can also get this show as well as others as an Alexa flash briefing. Just tell Alexa "play Today in Key West history as my flash briefing." You can also get this show and others on YouTube and visit http://43keys.com for more interesting information about our beautiful Florida Keys.

Key West, like the other Florida Keys, began as a coral forest under the sea water. Marine life was its only population as the polar ice caps reformed and the sea level dropped. Terrestrial plant and animal life found its way. Soil was formed by decaying organic matter and storm actions. For millenniums the ocean continued to drop and the ocean currents, wind currents, birds and other things began to propagate the islands. Eventually, human life forms also found their way. These trillions of cells of life form along with the forces of nature produced an island called "Cayo Hueso" by early Spanish travelers. We're not really sure where the word "key" came from as a reference to an island. Most believe that it began by the Spanish adapting the word Cayo from the Tiano Indians of Hispaniola and Cuba. Referring to small islands, the Spanish normally used "isla" for Island and "islet" for small island. At least in the new world, they appear to us Cayo and Cayhuelo for a very small island. The English use Cay or Kay such as Cay Sal Banks. Cay is pronounced by Americans as the letter K, but by Englishman as the word key. The native Aborigines and subsequent native groups were the first settlers of Key West. The Europeans were tourists. For the first 300 odd years of historic existence, Europeans stopped for fresh water on the islands, which stood as silent as the martyrs for which they were first named. The silence was broken occasionally by those seeking refuge from being shipped wrecked, to fish, to lumber, to salvage. Other than the Native Americans, apparently no one settled permanently. Until about the time Florida became a United States territory in 1821, the history of Key West is much like the rest of the Keys until 1821. Its natural deepwater port was the deepest port between New Orleans and Norfolk, Virginia. Key West quickly became the economic center, was rapidly settled, and became Florida's largest populated city. It had professional residents, such as doctors, lawyers, insurance company representatives, politicians, military personnel, journalists, publishers, and most of whom, by vocation, make some written documentation. These documentations has made Key West history easier to be true history and not just a fable. Politically, Key West was Monroe County. In population alone, it overwhelmed all of the remaining Keys for about a century and a half. From a historian's point of view Key West is an interesting beginning. To be considered is the island's ownership - as private property ownership by the territory of Florida, ownership by the US government and finally, as a local incorporated entity. John W. Simonton purchased the island on January 19, 1822, from Don Pablo Salas, who had acquired it as a Spanish land grant in 1815, from Don Juan de Estrada. But as a new US territory, the original Don Juan de Estrada land grant to Salas had to be confirmed. No US Deed could be granted. In reality, it went round and round with claims and counterclaims and attempts to follow these just look like a spider web connecting one thing to another. John Simonton soon took on three northern partners - John Whitehead, John Fleming and Pardon Green. On the scene arrived General John Gettis of Charleston, who'd also purchased Key West. It was actually discovered that Don Juan Salas had sold it twice. First, to John Strong, a lawyer no less, and then to Simonton. Simonton had already divided amongst the three - Whitehead, Fleming, and Green. Green had made several strategic moves by buying up claims in his name. And on May 23, 1828, Congress acknowledged the land grant of Salus was confirmed and Simonton as the legal owner. We might surmise that this was Florida's first land scam. And as amazing as it legally appears, the territory of Florida with an act of incorporation incorporated the city of Key West. It was also incorporated a second time on November 29 of 1828 as a town. So Key West was incorporated twice, once as a city and once as a town. Location. Location. Location is the cry of any good businessman and the Federal Wrecking Act prescribed that all property wrecked in US water had to be taken to a US port of entry. 1828 was a pivotal year for the Keys. In 1828, Key West was designated a port of entry. Key West grew from a desolated Island into a bustling city. Within a few years. Congress acknowledged Simonton as the owner of Key West and Key West incorporated twice. Congress created the Superior Court of the Southern District with Admiralty power. Judge James Webb was its first judge, but his successor William Marvin will be the most remembered. He authored the Law of Wreck and Salvage and later was Provisional Governor of Florida at the close of the Civil War. In 1832, Key West reverted to a charter type city government. But it was today, January 8, 1828, that Key West was first incorporated as a city. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West history is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about our glorious past here on the Florida Keys and even what's going on now in the Florida Keys, visit http://43keys.com. You can get this program as well as others as an Alexa flash briefing. Just tell Alexa "play today in Key West history as my flash briefing". You can also see "Today in Key West History" and other shows on YouTube. Search for them and subscribe there and in the meantime, visit http://43keys.com.

The Key West Citizen has received so many complaints recently about the willful destruction of plants and flowers in yards in the city, that it has decided to reward $25 for the arrest and conviction of anybody for committing such vandalism. A woman resident who used many hours of her time and beautifying her yard had so many of her plants broken or torn up a few days ago, she was mortified to tears when she viewed the destruction. Whoever broke the plants or pulled them up was prompted to do so by sheer devilry, by the hankering to destroy because none of the plants were stolen but were left instead strewn about the yard. "What is the use of my wasting time to plant", the woman said. "when my labor of days and weeks is destroyed in a few minutes by some vandal. I love trees plants and flowers but I'm disgusted sometimes, by the way, they are destroyed. I feel like pledging myself not to plant another thing." In several other parts of the city, similar reports have been made to The Citizen by residents. Some of them said they have seen not only children but grown ups also reach over into a yard and tear a limb off a Croton or some other beautiful plant. And in the case of some boys, they poked fun at the owner of a yard when they were reprimanded for breaking a plant or pulling it up. "The whole trouble," a resident said today, "is because many residents of Key West have not been used to open yards, to seeing growing things within their reach, and not touching them. And it seems to me that the best way to teach them to respect the property of others, as represented in plants and trees and flowers is to arrest a few of them and find them and send them to jail. What's the use of preaching about pulling down fences to modernize the yards, if the growing things in the yards are to be destroyed by every Tom, Dick, and Harry? It's beyond me, and trying to understand how anybody except a bit of a child, of course, can have the heart to go into somebody's yard and tear his plants to pieces. Yet it is done day in and day out in Key West and the doers are not the smaller children that good size boys and girls and sometimes grown people." It is in the hopes of stopping that class of vandalism and to promote the growth of plants, trees, flowers and roses in Key West that The Citizen decided today to offer the reward. The reward is not confined to members of the police force. It will be given to anyone who's information leads to the arrest and conviction of a person for destroying plant life and any yard in the city. Many of the small trees, so it has been reported, that were planted throughout the city during the tree planting campaign conducted by the Chamber of Commerce have had tender shoots torn off of them and have been broken in two our been pulled up altogether. The Citizen hopes that all Key Westers who wish to see the city further beautified by the planting of trees and flowers will join in the movement to put an end to the destruction of them. And it was today, December the 25th, 1923, that the Key West Citizen offered a reward of $25 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of guilty yard vandals. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To find out about our glorious or devilish past, visit http://43keys.com. You can also get this program as well as others as an Alexa flash briefing. Just tell Alexa, "Hey Alexa, play Today in Key West History as my flash briefing."  

On December the 24th, 1923, this quote appeared in the Tampa Tribune. "Tampa is the nearest port of any real consequence in the United States to the Panama Canal." Soon after, there was a rebuttal printed in the Key West Citizen. "Either the tribune is ignorant of the fact that Key West is nearer to the Panama Canal than Tampa or is deliberately misrepresenting the fact or does not consider Key West a part of any real consequence. Let us consider those suppositions in order. If the tribune is ignorant of the fact then let it enjoy its bliss without molestation. If it made the statement deliberately, it should be ashamed of itself from misleading its readers, loyal Tampans included, if it does not consider the port of Key West to have any real consequence. It's easy enough to prove that it is a far more consequence than Tampa by quoting the last report of the customs district of Florida, the headquarters of which is in Tampa, though it should be in Key West. Covering the exports for the month of August, as it concerns Tampa and Key West. Here's how it is: Tampa $414,206 Key West $3,334,635 Now, a pupil in the lower grades of the public schools can easily figure out that the exports from Key West during August were more than eight times as large as those from Tamp. In view of that fact issued by the customs inspector in Tampa itself, and then view of the further fact that the greatness of a country depends in a large measurement on the volume of its exports, the port of Key West is at least eight times of greater consequence than the port of Tampa. True the Tampa Tribune may say that the goods that are shipped from this port come from all over the country. But isn't the same thing just as true of any other part of the United States? Have any real consequence that the port of Key West was chosen as the most logical one through which to ship the goods goes to prove how great is its importance in the estimation of the shippers who use it as the port of exportation that the port of Key West was chosen as the most logical one through which to ship goods goes to prove how great is its importance, in the estimation of the shippers who use it as a port of exportation. Were Tampa considered as good a port from which to ship the goods, it would not be so far down in the scale as a port of exportation, but indeed would be running neck and neck with Key West, instead of being less than one eighth of importance. The last few years, there has seemed to be an unexpected understanding among the newspapers of Florida to give every city in the state its rightful due, which was a decided step forward in the ernstwhile practice of claiming the world with the proverbial fence around it in an attempt to boost a town. The editor of the tribune known and has known for years that Key West is nearer to the Panama Canal than Tampa, so what was his motive and casting the surreptitious slur at Key West? Did he think that it would help Tampa the expense of Key West? Or did he really think that the port of Key West was not of any real consequence? Of course, we don't pretend to answer those questions for him. But had he read the reports issued by the collector of customs in Tampa, month after month during year after year, he would not have failed to know the exports from the port of Key West have always been greater than the exports from all of the other ports of Florida combined. The distance from Key West to the Panama Canal is 1083 miles while the distance from Tampa is 1290 miles in other words, Key West a real port of consequence is 207 miles nearer the Panama Canal than Tampa. So, it was today December the 24th, 1923, the Key West was declared a port of real consequence. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To find out all about our glorious past and what's going on right now in the beautiful Florida Keys visit http://43keys.com. You can also get this program as well as others as an Alexa flash briefing. Just tell Alexa, "Hey Alexa, play today in Key West History as my flash briefing."  

José Martí was born in Havana to Spanish immigrants in 1853. From a young age, he dedicated himself to the Cuban struggle for independence. During his life he visited Tampa 20 times, a place with strong ties to Cuba where he consolidated drive and advocacy to bring change to Cuba. Martí attended university in Spain and studied law and philosophy. He published his first newspaper, La Patria Libre (The Free Fatherland), in 1869 and later El presidio político en Cuba (The Political Prison in Cuba), a protest against the abuse in Cuban prisons. He moved to New York in 1881, where he resided for the next 11 years. Well-versed in Spanish literature, Martí wrote poems, essays, books, English translations of novels and journal articles. He also informed readers of major events and life in the United States in Spanish-language newspapers as an admirer of the country’s vigor, industry and Constitution. Besides his literary prestige, Martí became known as a Cuban national hero and was invited to speak at Ybor City’s revolutionary clubs. In November 1891, he arrived to Tampa from New York via the Henry B. Plant railroad. He delivered two of his most famous speeches at El Liceo Cubano (The Cuban Lyceum), Vincente Martínez Ybor’s first cigar factory converted into a theatre, on 13th Street and 7th Avenue. That site became the headquarters of his visits. Martí's speeches were published and read in cigar factories throughout Tampa and Key West. In both cities, he united different factions under a common cause—Cuban independence. Martí loved Tampa and its people, and called the city “El Pueblo Fiel” (The Faithful Town). In 1892, he founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party and drafted its basic principles in Tampa. His compelling oratory raised money for the Cuban Independence Movement, and cigar workers offered a portion of their wages to the mission. Martí and other Cuban insurrectionists were received by Tampa Mayor Herman Glogowski, who transported them from City Hall across the new Lafayette Street Bridge in his carriage to see the newly dedicated Tampa Bay Hotel. He was also hosted at the Pedroso House on 13th Street and 8th Avenue, the current location of Parque Amigos de José Martí (Friends of José Martí Park). After celebrating his 40th birthday, Martí paid seven visits to cigar factories in Ybor City and held meetings and fundraisers at El Liceo Cubano. The growing number of cigar manufacturers in the city increased financial support for his endeavor. Among Martí's friends in Tampa elected to City Council were Ramon Rubiera de Armas, Emilio Pons, Candido Martínez Ybor and Ramon Rivero y Rivero. Rivero is noted for having introduced Martí at his speeches, but also for his work as the publisher of many local Cuban patriotic newspapers, such as La Revista de Florida and El Critico de Ybor City. The Cubans in Tampa frequently traveled back and forth between the city and their homeland. Martí listened to his compatriots’ grievances and reports about the atrocities of Spanish colonial reign, which made Tampa a safe haven to openly discuss their objections and desire to overthrow Spanish regime. While in New York, a few days after his 42nd birthday Martí signed the order of uprising against Spain. He then directed his secretary Gonzalo de Quesada to deliver it to Fernando Figueredo Socarrás, West Tampa’s first mayor. Socarrás requested cigar magnate O’Halloran to roll the decree into a cigar, which Quesada (later Cuba’s first U.S. ambassador) carried to Key West on Henry B. Plant’s steamship. There, Quesada handed the cigar to another courier who took it to Cuba aboard Plant’s steamer and gave it to Juan Gualberto Gomez. Gomez opened the loaded West Tampa cigar with Martí's instructions and ordered Cuban insurrectionists to initiate the War of Independence, which began on February 24, 1895. Martí arrived in Cuba shortly afterward, but was killed in a small skirmish on May 19. Martí’s “Cuba Libre!” (“Free Cuba!”) dream was ultimately fulfilled on May 20, 1902, when the country obtained independence. Several effigies of Martí are scattered throughout Ybor City, including busts and a statue which stands in José Martí Park.

While vacationing in Key West in the 1960’s with his partner, Joe Lizska, Frank Romano made the terrible mistake of falling asleep on the beach. It’s a mistake many tourists to Key West make, not realizing how much closer Key West is to the equator than the mainland, and how much faster you get sunburned at this latitude. By the time Frank woke up, he could barely move without terrible pain.   His entire chest was completely burned and he could barely move, let alone put on a shirt. Another local beachgoer happened to see Frank struggling in pain when he woke up, and told him he had just the remedy for his sunburn.   Frank and his new friend made their way back to the local’s home and the man promptly went out to the garden and cut 2 stalks of his aloe plant and promptly filleted them and rubbed the aloe juice all over Frank’s chest. By the next morning, there was no sign of Frank’s sunburn and he was flabbergasted. He couldn’t believe that a plant could perform such a miracle on his skin, and set his wheels in motion. If this plant could do that to his damaged skin, what could it do for healthy skin.    Later Frank and Joe moved to Key West and started the Key West Fragrance and Cosmetic factory. They used aloe in all of their products and for years, Frank was the chief chemist and could be see in the shop window mixing and measuring potions on Front St.   Frank and Joe adjusted well to life on the island. They grew their business and their circle of friends. One October day, Joe came home and told Frank he needed to show him something. Frank went along as Joe took him down to Duval St. Standing on one end of Duval St. Joe asked Frank what he saw.    Frank really wasn’t sure what he was supposed to see. He saw some boarded up shops and that was about it. Joe asked him, “do you see any people walking?” Frank said no. “Do you see any cars driving up the street?” Again, Frank said no. At this point Joe began to paint a picture. Here they were in Paradise where the weather was still warm, but once the summer vacation tourists left the island, not much happened until the snowbirds returned for the winter.   Because of this lull in tourists, it caused the island to go into a shutdown mode. Many businesses closed up and found business in other parts of the country where they still had customers. May employees of the businesses were laid off and had no work during this time.   Joe had realized that they needed some sort of festival or event that could be put on to bring tourists to the island during this low season.They gathered their friends, Bill Conkle and Tony Falcone, who owned Fast Buck Freddie’s and they put a plan into motion. The next October, the first Fantasy Fest was held and they had a parade with 12 floats that had been beautifully decorated. Some 5000 tourists came to the island that year for Fantasy Fest. The event has continued each year and grown into an international event, with people flying in from all over to enjoy the adult themed celebration.   It was today, December 20, 1975 1975: Key West Fragrance and Cosmetic celebrated its fourth anniversary by opening their new store and factory at Greene and Simonton streets. In four years, the company had grown from two employees, Frank Romano and Joe Liska, to two stores and 36 employees in Key West plus nine other shops in Florida and one in Haiti.   If you visit Key West today, you can still visit this company, now renamed Key West Aloe by stopping by their store on Duval St at Duval Square.   And that’s what happened today in Key West History.    Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about our beautiful Florida Keys, visit http://43keys.com.   you can also get this program as an Alexa Flash briefing. Just tell Alexa to play Today in Key West history as your Flash Briefing.  

By the early 1970s, when the fabrics and designs of Lilly Pulitzer were retail and media darlings, Tony Falcone started coming to Key West with his partner, Bill Conkle. Eventually, they decided to open up a store. It was called Fast Buck Freddie's and it was on Key West's main drag, Duval street. They opened at a time when many other stores on Duval Street were closing. They tapped into the new chic money that was just starting to discover Key West, with it's fabulous old houses built in its late 19th century heyday, and supplied housewares for all of those renovations. But in the summer all the business died and Falcone says they would not have made it through except for local matriarch, Mary Spottswood. "She would come in and buy everythin - wine glasses, placements and tons of housewares that she didn't even need." She did it only to try and keep us alive. Falcone said, "she would come in, we had a long table and a big fan chair behind it, and then some stools in front of it. And she would just come in and just sit and talk to us for hours." Well, that was classic Mary Spottswood. Mary and her husband John lived at 531 Caroline Street in what is known today as the John M. Spottswood House. They moved into the house in the 1940's and she raised her three sons and a daughter there. Mary's grandchildren are now seventh generation conchs! Mary was active in the community. She was involved in the Montessori School and was always taking on charitable endeavors. She was a member of the Laureate Delta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi and she opened her home to many other charitable organizations and social events were continually being held at the Spottswood home. The society pages of the newspaper during the 1980's were full of mentions of all the charitable deeds of Mary Spottswood. She was a longtime friend and supporter of Bayview Manor. She was a hospitable woman and she loved doing things for other people. She was constantly involved in fundraising for organizations in town that were closest to her heart. In the 1960's John Spottswood began his first foray into real estate development with the purchase of the Casa Marina and La Concha hotels. John and Mary Spottswood also became friends with Harry and Bess Truman. You'll remember that Harry Truman spent many vacations as president in Key West and John s and Mary Spottswood were some of the people that were frequently at dinner together with Harry and Bess Truman. It's not every day that you can live on a tiny island and yet still be friends and dinner companions with the most powerful man in the world. You can find reminders of Mary Spottswood all over Key West and even at the Mary abnd John Spottswood Waterfront Park located in the city. And it was today December the 20th, 1996, that Mary Spottswood, the island's grand dame, matriarch and First Lady died at the age of 73. Her late husband John had been Sheriff of the county, a state senator, and also started Cable Vision, one of the first cable systems in the country. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. If you want to learn more about Key West history and the people who put it on the map, visit http://43keys.com. You can get this program as well as others as an Alexa flash briefing. Just tell Alexa, "Play today in Key West history as my flash briefing."  

Now, more than 50 years after Fidel Castro's takeover of Cuba it remains a mysterious forbidden and a foreign place. Few of us can picture a time when Cuba was a friendly neighbor of the United States, and a place for a quick weekend getaway. When Flagler's train reached Key West in 1912, some of the trains were loaded onto 300 foot long barges to continue on to Havana for gambling and exotic rum drinks, especially after Prohibition too hold in 1920. Even up through the late 50's though, a car ferry service ran from Key West with a connection for freight in West Palm Beach. So, you could just saunter down to Key West and your car drive to Stock Island and catch the ferry, which was operated by the West India Fruit and Steamship Company. The ferry left Key West on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11am. The SS Havana could accommodate 500 passengers and 125 cars. Arrival in Havana was at 6pm, so the crossing took about seven hours. The fare was $13.50 one way or $26 round trip. Now if you convert that to today's dollars, that's over $200 for the trip. The ship then left Havana for the trip back to Key West at 10am, so you were back in Key West by 5pm. The ship was air conditioned and it offered snack bars, lounges, a gift shop and small day cabins. As relations with Cuba eroded in 1959, with the trade embargo emerging in 1960, the ferry service ceased and the ships were sold off in 1961. In recent decades, direct travel between Key West and Havana has been at its lowest point in almost 200 years. Yet with developments in the current political climates, some efforts are being made to reconnect these islands in the stream. One such effort is being led by Stock Island Marina village in Key West. It has the largest deep water marina in the Florida Keys and it's only 100 miles from Havana. The Marine village is investing in new infrastructure and services to accommodate international yachts and cruisers, as they make their way south in the pristine waters of Cuba. And perhaps one day in the not too distant future, We'll see these two islands connected once again. And it was today, December the 18th 1955, that the West India Fruit and Steamship Company's Key West to Havana ferry completed testing in the Chesapeake Bay. The "City of Havana" was a 472 foot former Navy LSD that was converted to an automobile passenger ferry by the Newport News Dry Dock and Shipbuilding company. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about our amazing and glorious past here in the Florida Keys or what's currently going on, please visit http://43keys.com. You can also get this program, as well as others, as an Alexa flash briefing. Just tell Alexa, "Hey Alexa, play Today in Key West History as my flash briefing."  

The night seemed like any other. It was February 15th and the crew of the battleship Maine had been dispatched to Havana. In the evening, they were riding quietly at anchor in the Havana Harbor, everyone going about their duties and minding their own business, when suddenly at 9:40pm out of nowhere an explosion happened and tore out the bottom of the ship and sank the entire ship, killing 260 of nearly 400 men on board. By the time the sun rose the next morning, only the twisted parts of the superstructure were visible above the water. Small boats were called in to examine the damage and try to rescue any of the injured. When the Maine had approached Cuba, it was flying the flag of Cuba. This was during a time when the Spanish regime was resisting the uprising of the nationalist guerillas in Cuba. We're not for sure what happened and what actually caused the blast that killed 260 men and destroyed the battleship Maine, but we believe from all evidence that it was the consequence of a mine explosion. No one's ever taken responsibility for it, but after that it did start the brief Spanish American War of 1898. The United States was pushing for Cuban independence, the Spaniards were trying to crush the uprising. After the incident, the United States declared war on Spain on April 25, and Congress authorized the official declaration of war against the Spaniards. By the time May 1, had rolled around an American fleet in Manila Bay in the Philippines had annihilated an entire Spanish fleet in short order. We lost no men and only had seven wounded soldiers from this conflict, but we handily declared victory. It was in June of 1898, that the American expeditionary forces landed in Santiago, Cuba. Our troops were sweating in their heavy woollen uniforms, which were thoughtfully issued to help protect them from the cold. It was in that year that the soldiers were also eating what was called "embalmed beef" out of the tin cans. You know, we may have lost more soldiers to "embalmed beef" than we actually did to war. On July 1 of that year, Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders also were able to capture the city of Santiago, which surrendered on the 17th, the Spanish Cuban fleet was hunted down by the American battleships and completely destroyed within four hours. After that, American troops sailed off to Puerto Rico, and the Spanish government called for peace. It was during those years that far more Americans were killed by "embalmed beef" or tropical diseases like typhoid, yellow fever, and malaria, than were actually killed in the course of battle. It was December of that year that a peace treaty between the United States and Spain was finally signed, Spain lost all of its colonies in the new world. The United States took control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam. Cuba gained independence and Theodore Roosevelt who was then the Secretary of the Navy earned a heroes reputation and it was that "embalmed beef" in the tin that also inspired the first Food and Drug Act. So mind you, this was all happening at the end of the year in 1898. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the commander of the Maine, Captain Charles D. Sigsbee did no wrong in the loss of life and the subsequent explosion that cost him all of his men and the ship that night in Havana harbor. And even though all of this happened in 1898, it wasn't until today, December 17, 1899, that the USS Texas captained by Charles D. Sigsbee, be who is the same commander that lost the Maine sailed back into Havana harbor to claim the bodies of the victims of the Maine disaster and bring them back to Arlington National Cemetery for a proper military burial. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media to learn more about our glorious past here in the Florida Keys, visit http://43keys.com. You can make this and other programs an Alexa flash briefing. For you to enable that just simply tell Alexa, "Hey Alexa, play today in Key West history as my flash briefing."  

From much of its early history, Key West stood in relative isolation due to the lack of regular mail service to the island, and the sporadic nature of the shipping supply channels which could easily be affected by storms and less than desirable weather. It wasn't until the end of the Civil War in this country that some enterprising businessmen decided to develop the undersea cable system to connect the US to other countries for Telegraph and Telephone calls. When the practicality of this type of communication was discovered, that's whenever people were on board to make it happen. The underwater cable system connecting Key West to Cuba officially began construction in 1867, the submarine cables were laid by boat crews in six different sections. The cable was laid in up to 1000 feet of water in the waters of the Florida Straights and connected Key West to Havana. There are several historic cable huts still visible around Key West. One of the more well preserved huts, sits near the Southernmost Point. Another less preserved example is able to be seen in the area of the Mallory Square dock. Some efforts have been made to preserve these historic cable huts. It wasn't until this underwater cable system was installed that the United States was finally able to be connected to another country for this type of communication. In 1867, after the first section was laid, Key West Mayor E.O. Gwynn and the Captain-General of Cuba Joaquin del Manzano exchanged greetings over the wire. Now that communication could be made with the outside world, it was quite expensive to actually utilize the service. Initially, Congress had limited the cost of a telegram to $3.50 cents for each 10 words. Imagine that! Eventually, the cost of a telegraph to Havana cost $4 in gold, by 1870. Additional underwater cable lines were added to the system in 1871, 1873, 1875, 1919 and 1927. At the height of the communications boom for Key West there were six different lines that connected the island to various locations. Between shipping mishaps, hurricanes and the harsh marine environment, the cables were constantly having to be repaired and replaced. The underwater cable system remained in use until the last segment connecting Key West to Havana failed in 1987. And it was today, December 15th, 1930, that the German cable ship Neptun started laying a new telephone cable to Cuba. The Key West end of the cable landed at the foot of Waddell Street. The cable was jointly owned by American Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Cuban Telephone Company. This was the fourth cable between Key West and Havana. The ship to two days to complete the cables to Havana. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about our glorious and historical past visit http://43keys.com. This program, as well as others, are also available as an Alexa flash briefing. Just tell Alexa to "play Today in Key West History as my flash briefing."  

As Key West became increasingly wealthy, the four story architectural marvel known as the Custom House was built, and it is a perfect example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. It's easily one of the most beautiful buildings in Key West and the crown jewel of the island. Despite the difficulties and delays in construction, the Custom House opened in April of 1891. Built at a total cost of $107,955 - and that was almost $30,000 over the budget. The Key West climate took an immediate toll on the building and the salty air eroded parts of it. The Hurricanes of 1909, 1910, and 1920 caused considerable damage to the brick building. The new building housed Key Wesr customs offices, the District Court and the post office. When it first opened, the building was occupied on the first floor by the postal and custom services, with the second floor containing the courtroom and court offices, while the lighthouse inspector and other government officials were housed on the third floor. During its prime the Custom House heard thousands of cases and judgments ranging from rum runners to ship salvaging claims. The most significant proceedings dealt with the sinking of the US Maine in Havana Harbor, which ultimately led to the Spanish American War. As the decades passed, the Customs House saw a decrease in use. In the 1930s, the customs offices, the District Court and the post office all moved to new facilities. The Navy moved some of its personnel into the building into a utilitarian office space, they dropped the ceiling and turned the large gracious rooms into small functional offices. The beautifully arched wrap-around porch was also enclosed to create additional workspace. Despite the fact that in 1973, the Custom House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Navy eventually decided to abandon the building. With all of its former tenants relocated, the Custom House was sealed, fenced off and left a feral cats, transients and just general decay. In 1976, after being declared a Historic Custom House by the Treasury Department, the structures ownership title was given to the city of Key West. Throughout the 1980s, the custom houses future remained in doubt. Various plans were drafted, which saw the historic building being converted into a yacht club and at one point even to an upscale resort. Ultimately after being sold in 1991 to the Florida Land Acquisition Advisory Council. The Key West Art and Historical Society undertook the restoration of the dilapidated building. In 1993, historic renovations began on the building under the supervision of lead architect Bert Bender. What had originally cost less than $110,000 to build in four years, now cost nearly $9 million to renovate over nine years. Restoration of the building followed historical preservation guidelines and used original construction materials. The building required modernization in order to accommodate a public museum and offices. This required the installation of additional stairwells and elevator, temperature control climates, archival rooms, offices and facilities to accommodate over 300,000 visitors a year. With restorations completed in 1999, the Key West Art and Historical Society reopened the beautiful Custom House as the crown jewel of Key West And it was today December the 14th, 1888, that the contract for the Custom House at the end of Whitehead Street was awarded. The structure was completed three years later and occupied in the latter part of 1891. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West was History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about our glorious past here on the Florida Keys and our future visit http://43keys.com. This program as well as others are also available as an Alexa flash briefing. Just tell Alexa to "play today in Key West history as my flash briefing."  

On December 13, 1928, this small paragraph appeared in the Key West Citizen. "The Turtelino hunting crowd killed a large deer yesterday on No Name Key. The deer was killed by Eddie Marquez and weighed 90 pounds. Marquez is is the latest one of the crowd to meet success in the hunting expeditions carried our by the Turtelino Organization." When I saw this paragraph, this one paragraph it made me sick to think about our beautiful key deer being stalked and hunted. So it sent me searching to find out more about why hunting expeditions were allowed in the Florida Keys. As it turns out, there's a long history of deer hunting and the Florida Keys. It flourished in the Keys in the 1930's. Most of the deer hunters were Cubans. They were former cigar makers from Key West and used "explorades", which the Spanish equivalent of hunting guides. It was one of those "explorades", a man named Turtelino, who caught the legendary Le Aeroplano. He was a tiny deer so fast that he seemed to fly. And he alluded hunters for nearly 10 years before he was finally bagged on Big Torch Key. The "explorades" had a profound knowledge of the ways of the deer. They learned that the creatures always fed on the windward side of the Keys, where the wind kept the mosquitoes away. The Key Deer is a subspecies - a smaller version of the Virginia whitetail, less than three feet high at the shoulder. A buck averages 65 to 80 pounds a doe about 40 pounds. Over many years, the deer has adapted to the aquatic world of the Keys. By the 1930's, hunting had depleted the number of key deer to 20. In 1939, the Florida legislature banned deer hunting in the Keys. Since then, the efforts of many conservationist and agencies have helped the tiny deer make a comeback. The effort culminated in 1963 with the dedication of the National Key Deer Refuge. The saving of the Key Deer from total extinction is generally credited to one man - Jack Watson. In 1946, Mr. Watson became an officer for the US Fish and Wildlife Service and quickly became the key deer's best friend. Realizing not only how adorable, but also how curiously close to extinction they were, he declared a one man war on poachers and used whatever tactics were necessary. These included disabling their car with bullets to the engine or a gas tank or setting their boats on fire. He also spent much time educating the government and public about the deer and in 1957, when the Key Deer refuge is finally established. Although they were saved a hair from extinction. The deer were then confronted with major habitat losses during the 1960's, 70's and 80's due to human expansion and construction. Officially put on the endangered species list in 1967, and it remains there today. The major reason is closely linked to its very limited habitat range. Existing population estimates hover around 800 in mid 2017. However, the vast majority are concentrated on Big Pine and No Name Keys - two islands located right next to each other encompassing less than 12 square miles total. The Key Deer also faced a screw worm epidemic in 2016 where approximately 10% of the herd was lost to the horrible screw worm outbreak. A year later, the Key Deer had to survive Hurricane Irma. Although No Name Key and Big Pine were declared mandatory evacuation areas, some residents refused to evacuate. Whether you were here or whether you were evacuated, we all couldn't wait to hear whether the herd had survived the storm. Those first reports of Key Deer sightings after Irma came through were amazing. We all rejoiced! Since the screw worm outbreak, activists have taken things into their own hands and formed nonprofits to help save the Key Deer. Comprised of Key Deer lovers, protectors, advocates and watchers, one of those groups formed is SaveOurKeyDeer.org. If you haven't checked it out, that is their website - http://SaveOur KeyDeer.org - you can find out the entire history of the Key Deer. Even as heartbreaking it was it was to read that they were once poached and hunted in the Florida Keys, I'm proud that we've decided to honor them and their heritage here and protect them. So if you want to help this part of Key's history survive, you can visit http://SaveOurKeyDeer.org and contribute and donate. One of the things the group is working on now is being able to get permission and licenses to properly rehabilitate deer that may be injured or hurt so that the population can remain strong. I highly recommend you follow them on Facebook, Save Our Key Deer and visit http://saveourkeydeer.org. It's a great way to help preserve this historical part of our Key's history. So I'm proud to say that while disturbing as it was, that today December the 13th 1928, reported a deer kill from a hunting expedition on No Name Key. I'm even more thrilled that we no longer have to worry about that. And that's what happened today in Key West history. Today in Key West History is brought to you by 43 Keys Media. To learn more about our glorious or disturbing past of the Florida Keys. Visit http://43keys.com. You can get this program and others as an Alexa flash briefing. Just ask Alexa to "Play Today in Key West History" as your flash briefing.