20 Years ago

[Ratickle]

2069.3 miles

But a lot of today's mapped roads I don't believe are even part of the old Highway 1.

[Bobcat]

Florida East Coast Railway, Key West Extension. Relief train near Islamorada blown off tracks by 1935 Hurricane.





1935: The most intense hurricane to hit the United States passed over Long Key and Lower Matecumbe Key. The Category 5 storm had a barometer reading of 26.35 and winds estimated at around 200 mph with tides 18 to 20 feet above normal. The storm killed nearly 400 people and ended the bankrupt Overseas Railroad.

[Ratickle]

Isn't the highest place in the Keys about 12' above sea level?

[Bobcat]

The Victoria Restaurant at 201 Duval Street circa 1920s.

1917: Juan Farto, proprietor of the Victoria restaurant, purchased the property at the corner of Duval and Greene streets where the restaurant stands. The purchase price was $7,800.

[Bobcat]

In KW I think it is Solares Hill at 11'.

[fund razor]

The bottom of lake erie at the deepest point is hundreds of feet above Bobcat.

[Ratickle]

So if you have a 20' tide, and the highest point is 11', it's like being on the bottom of Lake Erie!!!!

[Bobcat]

1993: A defecting Cuban Air Force pilot landed his MIG-21 fighter plane at the Naval Air Station. The plane was detected on radar about four minutes before it landed.

[Ratickle]

I remember that. It made a lot of people wake up to how vulnerable we were to an attack from Cuba. (There were all kinds of accusations and panic).

[Bobcat]

Four Blimps (LTA) at the Naval Air Station Boca Chica on January 10, 1951.



1955: Two Navy airmen on watch escaped injury when a small but violent tornado struck Boca Chica Naval Air Station and tore two blimps from their moorings and blew them a half a mile into the mangroves with the men inside. Both airships were badly damaged.

[Bobcat]

The Coral Isle Bar (Free Beer Tomorrow) at U.S. 1 Stock Island




2002: The Coral Isle Bar on Stock Island closed. The bar was famous for its sign “Free Beer Tomorrow,” which on its last day came true.

[Bobcat]

Early Navy helicopter at Naval Air Station Key West. This is a Piasecki HRP-1 "Flying Banana" rescue helicopter, which was a frame only and had no skin.

1951: Helicopter Scouting Squadron HS-1 was commissioned in ceremonies held at the Seaplane Base. It was the first HS squadron in the Navy. Commander Joseph T. Watson was the Commanding Officer of the Squadron.

[Ratickle]

Wow. Could you imagine putting your life into that????

[Bobcat]

Stilt houses in the lakes west of Key West in June 1970.

1978: Federal Judge William O. Mehrtens ruled that the 11 stilt houses built in the shallow water to the west of Key West must be removed.


(I'll post a pic tomorrow, it's too slow today)

[Bobcat]

1933: Monroe County voted 1,299 to 85 for the repeal of the 18th Amendment, which outlawed the sale of alcoholic beverages.

[Ratickle]

And the percentages "pro" are still the same in Monroe County!!

[Bobcat]

1884: The Jacksonville newspaper “The Florida Times Union” reported there were 22 liquor saloons in Key West.

[Ratickle]

1884: The Jacksonville newspaper “The Florida Times Union” reported there were 22 liquor saloons in Key West.

And now?

[Bobcat]

160?

[Ratickle]

Can you name them all? Or only the ones with Happy Hour?