Sound Off and...
Strike Up The Band

Monday, January 22nd, must have been the greatest day ever seen in Key West. Tens of thousands of people had come to the island city to watch the train arrive. And they'd come not only to see that train­ and the six more that came in behind it- but to also catch a glimpse of the multimillionaire who'd brought it here. To further capture everyone's attention, Flagler was accompanied not only by important men of politics and industry from all over the world, but also by his millionaire friends from Cleveland and the early Standard Oil days. The town was swathed in American flags and bunting while visitors roamed the carnival atmosphere of Duval Street. As a fitting end to the day, fireworks had burst into air. Whatever could Tuesday bring that would rival the wonders of Monday? Why, a parade, of course.

Promptly at eleven a.m., the Chief of Police and the Captain of the Night Police signaled the beginning of the procession to the driver of Grand Marshall, Major Sam J. Wolf. Major Wolf was the former head of the Island City Guards, a volunteer militia. The Light Guard Band came directly behind the Grand Marshall's carriage, followed by marching units representing the Coast Artillery, the US Army and the Marines, plus Sailors from all the US Navy ships in the harbor and even the men stationed aboard the Portuguese cruiser Republica. The local Guard and Key West's Battalion of the Florida Naval Militia put forward marching groups as well. Both the Navy Band and the Artillery Band of the Cuban Army's General Staff added musical interludes between the marching units.

Fraternal organizations were well represented, and, like many cities of the era, Key West had a lot of them. (Many of the benevolent societies had more than one Lodge­ for example, there were three Knights of Pythias Lodges on the island. Even today, Key West boasts four Masonic Lodges.) Offering both marching units and floats for the enjoyment of onlookers were the International Order of Odd Fellows, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Order of Owls, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and, for good measure, a group from Cuba­ Caballeros de la Luz. The Women's Christian Temperance Union was represented with a float as well.

The maritime unit above is stepping the 200 Block of Duval Street in unison. (Below) A modern shot of the same block today - taken from the same balcony of the same building as it it was in 1912.

Also putting floats in the parade were the Bottling Works, the Carpenters' Union, the Salvation Army, the San Carlos School, the City Mission and the Key West Fire Department. The Committee of Dolores Mayg rode in a carriage­ these were the ladies of Cuban descent whose desire to help the less fortunate had led to the formation of the Beneficencia Cubana and then to the opening of the Mercedes Hospital.

Traveling the parade route as well were the many visiting officials­ in both carriages and automobiles, reflecting that time in history when both types of horsepower were equally visible in Key West.

The parade route wasn't much different from one we'd see today­ starting from Simonton and Eaton Streets and heading down to Front Street. Then it was across Front to Duval and back up to Southard. Turning toward Whitehead Street, the parade ended near the Courthouse almost two hours after it began.

(Left) Two of the Parade's floats. The Odd Fellows float follows an unidentified one. The patriotic symbolism inherent in the fraternal organizations is evident. (Below) Key West business was well represented in the float categories­ this bedecked horse and wagon was entered by Consumers Bottling Co.