Colonial Pensacola prospered by shipping indigo and furs as early as the 1770s. Pine and pitch products, as well as materials for sailing vessels, became even more important. A U.S. Navy Yard in 1821 brought a boom to industry, but the port was destroyed during the Civil War. On the grounds of Pensacola Naval Air Station, 17th-century Fort Barrancas (1801 Gulf Breeze Pkwy.; 850-934-2600) is now part of the Gulf Islands National Park and Seashore. First a British Royal Navy Redoubt, then a Spanish fort, finally an American guardian of the Pensacola Navy Yard, the strategically located brick structure is surrounded by a dry moat and accessible only by a drawbridge. It includes a visitor's center, picnic area and nature trails.

Historic Pensacola Lighthouse, dating to the 1820s, is also located on the naval air station grounds. The black-over-white tower, 171 feet tall and dating to the 1820s, is visible from 27 miles at sea. It's open for tours most Sundays. Among the ships guided by the lighthouse was the U.S.S. Massachusetts (850-245-6444), now an underwater archaeological preserve 26 feet beneath Gulf waters.

Confederate leaders abandoned Pensacola to Union troops in 1862. The Civil War Soldiers Museum (108 S. Palafox St.; 850-469-1900) offers artifacts and exhibits. Fort Pickens (western tip of Santa Rosa Island; 850-934-2635) remained in Federal hands despite sporadic Confederate attacks. Tours are available daily.

The Palafox Historic District (Palafox Street from Garden Street to the end of the pier) contains examples of 19th-century commercial buildings and warehouses, most dating from the 1880s, although a few antebellum buildings survive at the south end of the street. The Port of Pensacola, whose landfill came from ships' ballast from all over the world, is located at the foot of Palafox Street.

 Prev  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  Next