May 1

The Key West Custom House, 1920s.

1898 – The U.S. Army Hospital at the Convent of Mary Immaculate in Key West was established with Major William R. Hall in command.

1926 – Two men attempted to break into the Key West Custom House by drilling a 12-inch diameter hole through the basement wall, hoping to access the area where seized liquor, jewelry, cigars, narcotics, and other valuables were kept. A night watchman encountered the men and fired shots at them, but they escaped via the waterfront.

1931 – A May Day Festival was held in Key West’s Bayview Park.

1936 – Florida Congressman J. Mark Wilcox announced that a plan to fully bridge the Overseas Highway had been approved by the Works Progress Administration and only President Roosevelt’s signature was needed for it to move forward. Under the plan, many of the railroad bridges would be converted for automobile traffic. 

1946 – Actress Jennifer Jones and movie producer David O. Selznick were visiting Key West; both were registered as guests at La Concha Hotel.

1954 – The new Southard Hotel at the corner of Southard and Duval streets in Key West opened.

1986 – Key West’s Mel Fisher was the guest of honor at a gala dinner held at the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC. The event titled “An Evening to Treasure with Melvin A. Fisher” was also a fundraiser for the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf.

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Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.

Image: The Key West Custom House, 1920s. The DeWolfe and Wood Collection. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.