Ninety years later, a community still gathers to remember the hundreds of lives lost in the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane.
Many who perished were World War I veterans who came to the Florida Keys to complete U.S. 1 and other projects.
The Matecumbe Historical Trust will hold its annual Labor Day Service on Monday, Sept. 1 at 9 a.m. at the Hurricane Monument, MM 81.5, in Islamorada. Community members and visitors are invited to remember those who died in the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane.
The Hurricane Monument memorializes hundreds of local citizens and American veterans who perished in the 200 mph winds and 17-foot storm surge on Sept. 2, 1935. The storm resulted in the deaths of almost 500 hundred people, from residents who lived in the community to the veterans who were not evacuated in time.
The U.S. Department of Interior placed the monument on the National Register of Historic Places on March 16, 1995.
Rescuing survivors was hampered by a lack of communication and transport. However, the Coast Guard quickly deployed 18 cutters, tugs and patrol boats and five amphibious vehicles to assist in the wake of the storm. The Red Cross and other public and private agencies were also promptly at work.
Every year, the Matecumbe Historical Trust holds a service to pay tribute to those who lost their lives. On the 75th anniversary of the storm, the Matecumbe Historical Trust hosted the first survivors’ reunion with seven of the survivors telling what they went through the night of the hurricane. The service will retell parts of what they said. There are only two survivors left.
The service will include an introduction, invocation, presentation of colors, national anthem, guest speakers, history of the hurricane, the laying of the memorial wreath, taps, patriotic songs, and benediction.
More information is at 305-393-0940 or matecumbehistoricaltrust.org.
