20 Years ago

[Bobcat]

50 years ago:

The Coast Guard had confiscated three Cuban Fishing Boats that were in U.S. waters earlier in the week .



In reprisal for the Cuban fishing boats held in Key West the Cuban Government ordered the fresh water supply to the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay cutoff.

Criminal Court Judge Thomas Caro released seven of the 36 Cuban fishermen held because they were under the age of 17.



A group of Cuban exiled hung Fidel Castro in effigy in sight of the Cuban fishing boats being held on the Coast Guard Station.

[Bobcat]

Mrs. Bernice Daniel cut the ribbon to formally dedicate the Hemingway House as a museum honoring the memory of Ernest Hemingway.

The 62-foot shrimp boat was stolen from the dock on Stock Island and taken to Cuba by a man who requested political asylum.

Fire Chief Joseph "Bum" Farto was driving on Caroline Street in his official car when he was hit by a tourist. Both cars suffered damage but no injuries.



The 29 Cuban fishermen held in the Monroe County jail for violating Florida fishing laws were having difficulty finding an American attorney to handle their defense.

[fund razor]

Bum Farto?

[Bobcat]

He's a famous Fireman/drug dealer...disappeared without a trace.

[fund razor]

Most bum fartos linger.

[Bobcat]

North Roosevelt Boulevard C 1940s. Wright Langley Collection. (filled in now)

[Bobcat]

Key West officials promised to crack down on door-to-door salesmen who flooded the city in the winter months, selling merchandise without an occupational license.

The Key West City Commission approved Armando Perez Jr. as chief of police and Joseph A. "Bum" Farto as fire chief.

[Ratickle]

North Roosevelt Boulevard C 1940s. Wright Langley Collection. (filled in now)

DO you have a today picture of the same spot?

[Bobcat]

DO you have a today picture of the same spot?

Here are two....filled in and built on.

[Bobcat]

In reprisal for the Cuban fishing boats held in Key West the Cuban Government ordered the fresh water supply to the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay cutoff.





Irked by Cuban charges that the Guantanamo Naval Base had stolen water from Cuba, Rear Admiral John D. Bulkeley ordered, "cut the damn thing in half."

[Bobcat]

The trial began of the 25 Cubans from four boats caught fishing in Florida Waters near the Dry Tortugas

[Bobcat]

50 years ago:

The 29 Cuban fishermen sailed from Key West on their four boats after they were found guilty and fined for fishing in Florida Waters without a license. The Czechoslovakian diplomat representing the Cuban Government paid the $2,000 fine and the men and boats were released by Judge Thomas Caro.

Eddie's Fish Basket on Sugarloaf Key was sold. The restaurant had been closed since 1954 when Captain Linton had retired. He had opened the restaurant before World War Two.
(Eddie's Fish Basket on Sugarloaf Key C 1950 now Mangrove Mama's)

[Bobcat]

50 years ago:

Fidel Castro met the four Cuban boats released from custody in Key West and claimed the boats and men were robbed of the Cuban Flag and clothing while in custody of the sheriff.

[Bobcat]

• A woman sued for divorce in circuit court with the complaint that her husband harassed her continually with accusations that she was tampering with the controls on his electric blanket.

[Bobcat]

Here's a pic of the dredging op that created Tank Island (Sunset Key)


Dredge in Key West Harbor making Tank Island (Sunset Key) in 1964.

50 years ago:

The U.S. Department of Interior let a contract to clean up a 5,000 barrels oil spill at Bush and Long Keys in the Dry Tortugas.

A man fell asleep at the wheel of his car and hit two houses. He took out a utility pole and a coconut tree on Whitehead Street.

The Navy awarded a $1,967,209 contract to Bauer Dredging Company to deepen the main ship's channel to 34 feet, enlarge the turning basin and deepen the submarine basin of the Naval Station.

A woman who lost the brakes on her car went through the storefront and plate glass window of the H & H Hardware and Sporting Good's Store on Summerland Key.

The Navy's Blue Angels gave a performance at the Naval Air Station.

[old377guy]

• A woman sued for divorce in circuit court with the complaint that her husband harassed her continually with accusations that she was tampering with the controls on his electric blanket.

Whod've thunk my case would end up in this thread?

[Ratickle]

That's why we bought one with dual controls (actually heated pad)......

[Bobcat]

50 Years ago

The Maritime Proving and Evaluation Unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force conducted his annual exchange visit to VX-1 at the Naval Air Station in February. To commemorate the visit, the Squadron Leader presented the host with a curling stone, which is used in an old Scot sport that requires ice.

[Ratickle]

50 Years ago

The Maritime Proving and Evaluation Unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force conducted his annual exchange visit to VX-1 at the Naval Air Station in February. To commemorate the visit, the Squadron Leader presented the host with a curling stone, which is used in an old Scot sport that requires ice.

Must have thought they were in Michigan instead of Key West....

[Bobcat]

50 years ago

• When workers opened a wall at El Salvador Methodist Church at Grinnell and Virginia streets, they found a beehive containing more than 500 pounds of honey.