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Source
State Library of Florida, WPA - Historical Records Survey, County Histories
Description
Brief history of Escambia County, Florida collected by the Works Progress Administration's Historical Records Survey.
Date
ca. 1939
Contributors
Format
Coverage
Personal Subjects
Corporate Subjects
Subjects
Geographic Term
Note to Researchers:
Though the WPA field workers included extensive citations for the factual information contained in these county histories, it should be noted that these historical narratives were produced in the 1930s by federal government employees, and might reflect the inherent social biases of the era.
BOUNDARIES OF ESCAMIBA COUNTY FLORIDA
The county of Escambia shall comprehend all that part of the State lying to the west and south of [a line] beginning at the Alabama line where said line crosses the Escambia river; running thence down said river to Escambia bay, thence along said bay to Deer Point, at the intersection of Santa Rosa Sound with said bay; thence up said Santa Rosa Sound to a line beginning at the east end of Santa Rosa Island in the Gulf of Mexico.
July 21, 1821; ch Nov. 23, 1823; ch Feb. 18, 1842
Section 11 Revised General Statutes of Florida, 1927
Title
Escambia County Florida
Subject
Cities and towns--History
Florida--Escambia County
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey
Description
Brief history of Escambia County, Florida collected by the Works Progress Administration's Historical Records Survey.
Creator
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey
Source
State Library of Florida, WPA - Historical Records Survey, County Histories
Date
1939 (circa)
Contributor
Nettles, B.J.
Format
local histories
Language
eng-US
Type
Text
Identifier
wpa_county_history_escambia_01
Coverage
Depression Era Florida (1926-1939)
Thumbnail
/fpc/memory/omeka_images/thumbnails/wpa_county_histories.jpg
Geographic Term
Escambia County (Fla.)
Escambia River (Fla.)
Gulf of Mexico
Pensacola (Fla.)
Santa Rosa Island (Fla.)
Fort Pickens (Fla.)
Fort Barrancas (Fla.)
Pensacola Bay (Fla.)
Display Date
ca. 1939
ImageID
wpa_county_history_escambia_01_01
wpa_county_history_escambia_01_02
wpa_county_history_escambia_01_03
wpa_county_history_escambia_01_04
wpa_county_history_escambia_01_05
wpa_county_history_escambia_01_06
wpa_county_history_escambia_01_07
Subject - Corporate
Pensacola Historical Society
Pensacola Naval Air Station
Subject - Person
Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
De Luna, Don Tristan
Arriola, Don Andreas D.
Transcript
WPA
B. J. Nettles, Supvr. Dist. #4.
Historical Records & State Archives
Surveys.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY FLORIDA
Escambia county is one of the oldest in the state, created July 21st, 1821 by Ordinance of Major General Andrew Jackson, Governor of the Provinces of Florida. It embraced the territory lying between the [Perdido] river on the West, the Gulf of Mexico on the south, the Suwanee river on the east, and the state of Alabama on the north. The name Escambia was probably derived from the Escambia river, which was in turn named for the Spanish “Cambrir” meaning “to barter”.
Other counties were created from portions of Escambia until now there are seventeen. The first county created from the original Escambia was Jackson in 1822 and embraced the territory lying between the Choctawhatchee and Suwanee rivers. The second, Walton, created in 1824, embracing the territory lying between the Choctawhatchee river and a line authorized by an act of Territorial Council designating a line beginning at the east end of Santa Rosa Island and running due north to the Alabama state line. This brought the boundary to about 86 ½ degrees. In 1842 the county of Santa Rosa was created and embraced the territory lying between the line authorized in 1824 and the Escambia river. No further reductions in the original Escambia county has been made, leaving the present county as it is today with six hundred and fifty seven square miles, embracing the territory lying between the Gulf of Mexico on the south, the Escambia river on the east, the state of Alabama on the north, and the Perdido river on the west. From Jackson, Walton, and Santa Rosa counties the other thirteen counties have been created from time to time.
The county as it is stands today is very rich in history. Still standing are a number of old Spanish forts and other buildings. The first settlement was established by Don Tristan De Luna with 2000 followers in 1559. This settlement was abandoned after two years because of lack of cooperation among the settlers. In 1696 Fort San Carlos was built by Don Andreas D Arriola. On May 14th, 1719 the city of Pensacola was captured by the French who had settled Mobile. The town was in a short time recaptured by the Spaniards but held only until the French in Mobile could prepare an attack. This they did and burned the city. In 1719 the first battery was installed on the west end of Santa Rosa Island where now stands Fort Pickens. In 1720 peace was declared but it was not until 1723 that Pensacola was restored to the Spaniards. The Spaniards rebuilt the town on Santa Rosa Island on account of the natural barriers from attack by the Indians and other enemies.
In 1763 Florida became a British Colony, thereby placing Pensacola under the rule of the British. In 1764 the present old city of Pensacola was laid out. In 1772 the British built Fort George on the southwest corner of Palafox and Jackson streets. In 1781 Fort San Bernardo was constructed on the block now bounded by Spring, Gonzalez, Brainard, and Barcelona streets.
After a spirited battle Pensacola again passed to control of Spain in 1781. Spain continued in control until 1814 at which time General Andrew Jackson marched in and captured the city. He, however, withdrew immediately. In 1818 General Jackson again took possession of the city. In 1821 by treaty with Spain the United States acquired the territory and in February, 1821 the formal ceremony ceding Florida to the United States from Spain took place in the Plaza in Pensacola where a marker commemorating this event has been placed by the Pensacola Historical Society.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY FLORIDA
In 1824 Pensacola was incorporated as a city and during the same year the Congress of the United States selected Pensacola as a site for a navy yard. During the year of 1833 the construction of Fort Pickens was begun and in 1839 Fort McRae’s construction was started. It was, however, not until 1842 that Fort Barrancas was under construction and in 1850 Fort Redoubt was begun. In 1861 Pensacola was surrendered to the Confederate troops and all defense captured except Fort Pickens which remained in the Federal control throughout the period of the war.
Pensacola’s steady growth since the days of the Civil War, owing to its many natural advantages has increased in recent years to proportions that will eventually make it one of the most prosperous cities in the country.
In 1914 the United States Government recognizing the many advantages offered by Pensacola, established the Pensacola Naval Air Station for the training of aviators. This training station is located 9 miles southwest of Pensacola with a personnel of approximately 3,700 officers, enlisted men and civilian employees. About 300 planes in service with an annual payroll of approximately $5,000,000.00. During the year of 1936 there was appropriated for improvement and enlargements $3,262,000.00. It would appear that it is the aim of our government to eventually make this station the largest in the world.
Fort Barrancas, located 9 miles from Pensacola, on Pensacola Bay is the headquarters of Coast Artillery, 4th Corps Area, having a personnel of about 550 officers and enlisted men. Here is also the headquarters for CCC camps. Operations of 29 CCC camps in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisianna are directed and handled at Fort Barrancas. From two thousand to four thousand students annually are trained in the CMTC and other camps conducted at Fort Barrancas.
Pensacola’s oldest church is the Episcopal, facing Seville Square, constructed in 1829. [Nearby] is also shown the remains of Panton Leslie Trading Post constructed about 1774.
On October 15, 1936 the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce after careful analysis issued a statement relative population of Pensacola and adjacent territory, and other matters of interest which we quote in part:
Population In Pensacola Proper (9 ½ Sq. Mi.) Approximately 35,000
[Population] Metropolitan Area (14 ½ Sq. Mi.) [Approximately] 46,000
[Population] Within 50 Mi. radius [Approximately] 101,000
Average Temperature November to February 55.8 degrees
[Average Temperature] June to September 79.8 [degrees]
[Average Temperature] Yearly average 67.7 [degrees]
Pensacola has 55 miles of paved streets
Bank deposits (June 30, 1936) $8,817,398.44
Resources 10,438,062.05
Clearings (Jan. – June, 1936) 44,528.309.00
4490 Telephones.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY FLORIDA
Pensacola has:
63 Churches
2 Municipal Beaches (Bayview Park and Sanders Beach)
On the open Gulf, Pensacola Gulf Beach 17 miles out
On the open gulf, Pensacola Beach with modern casino
9 miles from the city.
2 Public Parks
3 Theatres
2 18 hole Golf Clubs
68 Manufacturing Industries employing 1700 people with
a payroll of $1,800,000.00
60 Whousesale Houses with an approximate annual business of $9,500,000.00
460 Retail Establishments with an approximate annual
business of $11,000,000.00
2 Railroads, Louisville & Nashville and Frisco
Bus service in all directions
Ocean freight service to all the principal ports in the world.
The finest harbor in the United States. Landlocked area about 125 square miles. 32 foot channel
Numerous hotels and water front cottages
Headquarters for the largest snapper fishing industry on the gulf.
Pensacola is an attractive city, one of the most beautiful in the United States. Being located on deep water gives it an advantage as a commercial point. Its topography lends itself to the development of its streets and both its home and business section to advantage. The main street of the city is a wide thoroughfare, well paved and in part parked with trees along its center. In the residential districts many fine home have been built. Located just outside the business district there is an impressive looking and architecturally attractive central high school building in which are all modern conveniences and requirements for present day student instruction. It is the center of the public school system that is efficient and that gives to the city a high standing in educational circles. There are 16 grades schools located in different parts of the city. There are 3 parochial and 1 private school.
Opportunities for recreation are many. There are golf clubs, beautiful drives, parks, playgrounds, and all kinds of water sports. Well paved roads reach out from the city in several directions. A great bridge spans Pensacola bay with connects with highways along the gulf shore and leads to recreation parks, bathing beaches, resort towns and districts.
All of northwest Florida was originally heavily timbered, mainly by long leaf and other pines, with hardwoods along the stream. It is only a comparatively few years ago that railroads were built in the territory and lumbermen begin the cutting of timber. In almost every section of the region there was some very large sawmills. Many of them getting out export timbers which were shipped through the port of Pensacola. Some of these large mills are still in operation, but their timber supply has largely disappeared. The largest of the mills are at
ESCAMBIA COUNTY FLORIDA
Century, Escambia County; Bagdad, Santa Rosa County; De Funiak Springs, Walton County; and Caryville in Washington County. Many smaller mills are busy in different parts of the territory. Some of them cutting cypress, oak, gum, and other woods; and at several places are stave and other mills and some general woodworking plants.
The naval stores industry early became an important one and is still carried on extensively; both through large chemical plants at Pensacola and elsewhere and by the woods turpentine stills. Undoubtedly the turpentine industry and the small sawmills will find supplies for many years to come. Escambia County and northwest Florida has a climate that may be described as healthful, fairly even, with mild winters, and summers usually enjoyable. It is a climate enjoyable for the year round with only occasional days in which the heat is excessive, or freezing weather occurs. The winters are short while the summers last from May to September with a late fall that is usually most pleasant.
The growing season lasts from 300 to 325 days. This gives opportunity for the farmer to make the fullest use of his land in growing two crops a year, and also to raise a winter crop for soil building or for pastorage. While there has been no large truck growing center developed in Escambia County, the largest number of truck farmers in northwest Florida are located in Escambia County. Most of the products going into Pensacola for consumption in that city. Vegetables which are grown to advantage as shown by experience include: cabbage, cauliflower, collard, beans, beets, cucumbers, egg plant, peas, kale, lettuce, onions, okra, parsnips, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, squash, turnips, tomatoes, irish and sweet potatoes. Shipments to outside markets of irish and sweet potatoes, onion, squash, cauliflower, beans, and beets are made.
The fruits grown profitably in Escambia county are: peaches, plums, satsuma oranges, kumquats, pears, figs, blueberries, Japanese persimmons, grapes, strawberries, youngberries, dewberries, melons and cantaloupes. The satsuma orange industry promises to be a really great one. Here are to be found many large and well cared for orchards.
A comparatively new orchard proposition started in the Gulf Coast region is that of tung nut production. Some groves, large and small, have been planted in Escambia and other northwest Florida counties. It is said that large areas of Escambia and other adjacent counties are admirably adapted to tung nut production. An organization is underway at Pensacola for making that city a center of the tung oil industry. Two nurseries have been established for producing nursery trees and it is aimed to secure the planting of groves in the territory tributary to the city, which will contain 100,000 trees. Following the production of a sufficient quantity of nuts, plants for extraction and refining the oil will be established.
Escambia county leads in a number of dairy farms with excellent pastorage, modern buildings, and fully equipped to serve the Pensacola market.
In recent years there has been a fine development in the poultry industry. The home market usually consumes the production. Excess production of poultry and eggs are shipped to other resort towns. Northern settlers are especially prominent in Poultry keeping.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY FLORIDA
Escambia county and northwest Florida as a whole is a region of rare attractions. Nature has bestowed upon it many of her enticing charms. It is a region that on acquaintance has rich appeal as a homesite where one may not only find occupation but a fine climate, recreational and sports attractions and the advantages of good schools, splendid highways, and [pleasant] surroundings.
First Court House in Escambia County was located on the corner of Government and Palafox Streets.
After extensive research we have been unable to secure any information regarding actual date constructed but it would seem from information secured that it was in the year of 1821 or 1822.
Date of first government seems to be July, 1821 when the county was erected.
The actual records were destroyed by fire in 1881 and we are unable to determine the actual dates as requested.
PENSACOLA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Pensacola, Florida.
February 17, 1937.
This is to advise that I have carefully read the outline of Escambia County history and wish to say that the facts contained therein are historically correct.
This sketch of Escambia County I consider is very good and carries the most outstanding dates in the county history.
While much more could be said, this outline gives a very good idea of Escambia County and its splendid location, natural resources and historical background.
Sincerely,
T.T. Wentworth Jr.,
President
Pensacola Historical Society.
BOUNDARIES OF ESCAMIBA COUNTY FLORIDA
The county of Escambia shall comprehend all that part of the State lying to the west and south of [a line] beginning at the Alabama line where said line crosses the Escambia river; running thence down said river to Escambia bay, thence along said bay to Deer Point, at the intersection of Santa Rosa Sound with said bay; thence up said Santa Rosa Sound to a line beginning at the east end of Santa Rosa Island in the Gulf of Mexico.
July 21, 1821; ch Nov. 23, 1823; ch Feb. 18, 1842
Section 11 Revised General Statutes of Florida, 1927
Chicago Manual of Style
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey. Escambia County Florida. 1939 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/321101>, accessed 3 December 2024.
MLA
Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey. Escambia County Florida. 1939 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.<https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/321101>
AP Style Photo Citation
(State Archives of Florida/Works Progress Administration)