Today in History The Bamboo Room on Smith Lane in the 1960's. Photo from the Property Appraiser's office.

10 YEARS AGO

New Year's partying started early and the crowd was building at Sloppy Joe's to watch the conch shell mark the beginning of 1999.

 50 years ago

During the night, Cuban President Fulgencio Batistaand his top government officials left Cuba for the Dominican Republic and the United States, leaving Fidel Castro victor in the two-year civil war.

The Navy announced that submarine tender Howard W. Gilmore and nine submarines would be moved from Key West to Charleston, S.C., by Aug. 1, 1959.

The Bamboo Room on Smith Lane had a gala New Year's Eve party with Alan Scottand the Characters, with no cover and no admission and a large bottle of champagne for $7.50.

100 years ago

Happy New Year to all, from the Hambrights.