Service Above Self Since 1916

Rotary Club of Key West Milestones

• 1916:

  • Club founded by Jefferson Browne.

  • Meetings held at a store on Duval Street.

  • Henry Flagler's Railroad was just 4 years old.

  • The Rotary Club of Havana was founded the same year and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Jacksonville.

• 1917:

  • Rotary members help establish the Key West Chapter of the American Red Cross.

• 1919:

  • The 18th amendment outlaws alcohol; Key West becomes a "rum-running" center due to its proximity to Cuba.

• 1921:

  • Rotary President J.Y. Porter discovers the Rotary name was used without permission for a minstrel show benefiting Boy Scout Troop 2, which was performed by Rotarians.

• 1922:

  • Club embarks on a project to clear land for the future Bayview Park.

• 1925:

  • Club endorses a plan to ban shooting and trapping birds and protect Key Deer.

• 1928:

  • PanAmerican Airways begins regular service from Meacham Field (now Key West International Airport) to Havana.

• 1930s:

  • "Songs for the Rotary Club" published, featuring the "Rotary Song."

• 1932:

  • Rotarian Edward Strunk urges fellow Rotarians to support the establishment of the Everglades National Park.

• 1934:

  • The Great Depression hits; Edward Strunk becomes Club President with 19 members and adds 10 new members.

• 1935:

  • Treasurer Bill Bates addresses price increase for meals from the Ladies Guild.

• 1936:

  • Focus on rebuilding the overseas railroad destroyed by the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane; delegation travels to Cuba for assistance.

• 1937-1938:

  • Club sponsors Boy Scout Troop 52; state music director seeks club's support for the Florida Symphony Orchestra.

• 1947:

  • Club leads efforts for Monroe County to purchase land for Higgs Beach; launches a program to send a senior to Girl's State in Tallahassee.

• 1948:

  • The Club holds a "ladies night" at La Concha Hotel.

• 1951:

  • Club supports blood donations for the Korean War and funds a clinic for Monroe County Cerebral Palsy.

• 1954:

  • Paul Sher elected President during a regular meeting at LaConcha Hotel.

• 1957:

  • Edward B. Knight joins as a new member; later becomes one of the community's most respected philanthropists.

• 1961:

  • Rotary Club of Key West helps organize the Rotary Club of Marathon.

• 1966:

  • Club celebrates 50th Anniversary with a gala at the Trade Winds Supper Club in Holiday Inn.

• 1967:

  • Club invites four wounded US Marines to a luncheon to honor their service.

• 1971:

  • Rotary Club donates $344 to start the "Parade of Palms" along North Roosevelt Blvd.

• 1972:

  • Edward Toppino inducted as a new member.

• 1976:

  • Rotary Club supports Fourth of July fireworks tradition in Key West.

• 1981:

  • Club members volunteer to shape up Key West Cemetery.

• 1986:

  • Active Interact Club established; District Conference sponsored at Casa Marina with a budget of $68,415.

• 1988:

  • Rotary Club of Key West sponsors the Sunrise Rotary Club and establishes the Key West Rotary Foundation.

• 1991:

  • Club celebrates 75th Anniversary, sponsors local D.A.R.E. group, and donates to 16 local charities.

• 1993:

  • First woman member, Elizabeth Freeman, joins the club.

• 2002:

  • Karen Thurman elected as first female club President.

• 2007:

  • Club grows to 120 active members; moves meetings to Beachside Resort to accommodate growth.

• 2010:

  • Rotary International grant awarded for Nutritional Support Centers in Haiti after earthquake.

• 2016:

  • Rotary Club celebrates 100 years with a gala at Marriott Beachside Resort, honoring 10 Rotary Legends.

• 2017:

  • Club holds a gala for Rotary Hall of Fame and Key West High School Coach of the Year.

• 2018:

  • Hosts a picnic on the beach as part of the Fourth of July activities, including a 5K race and fireworks.