May 25 Milestones: A Century of Keys History

Dr. Corey Malcom, lead historian at the Monroe County Public Library's Florida Keys History Center, compiled historical events from May 25 spanning more than a century.

On May 25, 1857, the schooner Ottawa from Portland ran aground on Cuban reefs and limped to Key West for repairs. In 1893, the U.S. Marshal sold the wrecked brig Acadia from Bird Key in the Dry Tortugas; Key Wester Henry Williams bought the hull, cargo, and spars for $345.

The Red Cross opened three first aid stations along the Overseas Highway on May 25, 1938, at Craig Key, Marathon, and Ramrod Key, each staffed around the clock. On May 25, 1954, a Navy blimp, the ZPG-2, landed at Boca Chica Naval Air Station after traveling from New Jersey through the Caribbean. At 342 feet long, it held the record as the world's largest blimp and had remained airborne for more than 200 hours without refueling.

Harbor dredging prompted the Navy to close Truman Beach in Key West on May 25, 1967, after removing most of the sand and creating hazardous conditions. Key Westers formed a human chain along Duval Street on May 25, 1986, during the national "Hands Across America" fundraiser to combat hunger. On May 25, 1994, Key West High School named its library for Mary B. Trevor, who served as head librarian for 31 years.