The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-06-20
Pensacola is City Of
Beauty and History
Western Florida Metropolis Under Five
Different Flags Since Discovery
In 1928.


industrial loss of the nation
Close to Panama Canal.
Valparaiso, the Vale Of Pardise, where
the project of the Valparaiso Develop
ment Company centers is about forty
seven miles in straight line from
Pensacola This city is the metropolis
of the region and bears the distinc-
ton Of being the closest American port
to the Panama Canal That this fact
is not generally known is an over
sight that is, perhaps, due to the care
lessness of those who should have the
well being Of the region closest to their
hearts
Words are almost inadequate to des-
cribe Pensacola. The best way would
be to describe 1t as quaint, old,
modern city. BY its strategic position,
it commands the country's best inland
harbor which extends from just west
OF the Florida state line to Freeport.
seventy miles east The navies of the
earth could find refuge In the quiet
waters of this harbor. And one could
include with them the navies Of Rome,
Carthage and Phoenicia.
Military Post.
Pensacola is a military post OF no
little Importance. The fact that it has
been the scene at certain times in AM
erican history OF some of the bloodiest
fighting that preceded the civilized oc-
cupation Of the country, speaks for
Itself. The flags OF five different ma
tions have floated over the town. One
OF its fortresses was the only point
south Of the Mason Dixon line which
was continually occupied by Union
troops during the Civil war
The entire region was affected by
xx,fn ofi vanfra
oils. Beyond a doubt. Valparaiso was
a well known point to the native In
dams and the ever advancing pioneers
in the southern peninsula.
The First Settlement.
1t was Panfilo de Narvaez who sailed
into Pensacola bay in 1928. He found
the conditions that make for sue
cessful military post ideal in every
way and accordingly flung the flag OF
his Spanish sovereign to the breeze.
Tt was but thirty-six years after
Columbus had landed at San Salvador.
In 1859, Don Tristan de Luna sailed
into what is now Pensacola bay He
founded little village named Santa
Maria on the present site of the
metropolis. Some historians claim that
this village antedates the foundation
of St. Augustine, which claims to be
the oldest settlement in America. by
four years.
A Strong Fortress.
The little settlement of Santa Maria
remained intact for many years, but
It finally dwindled away until but one
or two houses remained. 1t was aban-
doned by Don dc Luna. 1t remained
only a name for more than a century
until another Spaniard, Don Andres de
Arriola. arrived in the vicinity in 1896.
He built strongly fortified town, and
named it Pensacola, after one OF SPANS
mightiest fortresses on the Mediter-
ranean sea. The city boasts OF hav
ing the first church and church bells
in the new world.
Three years after the advent Of Don
de Arriola, a French expedition took
possession Of the country lying to the
west Of the present state line OF Flor
ida and founded a French. colony at
Mobile There was nothing In Alabama
to compare with the fairyland of west
ern Florida and the French cast long
ing eyes at the possessions OF their
fortunate neighbors. The result was a
constant turmoil that ebbed and flowed
about Pensacola. Until after the AM
erican Civil war. five successive years
did not pass in which Pensacola was
not the scene OF 1lgntlng.
The City Established.
The French captured and destroyed
the city in i7i9 and took possession OF
the entire region. 1t was restored to-
Spain in 1923. In the year that fol-
lowed, the blood swirl OF the French |
and Indian wars swept around Pensa-
cola and when peace finally came in
1863 western Florida was ceded to the
British One of the first steps tken |
by the British was complete survey |
OF the city Streets were named and |
the city was made the capital OF the |
region. A fort was built to protect the |
British navy yard 1t was called San
Bernardo.
Ii seems perhaps paradoxical that 7
Spaniard, Don Bernardo Galvez should |
again capture the town and the fort
bearing his name. He was the governor
of Louisiana and his action led to the
restoration OF Pensacola to Spain in
iTS3
Old Hickory Moves In.
During the war OF 1912. the Spaniards
eager to gain the good will Of Great
Britain, gave permission for British
troops TO occupy the city. The action
was circumvented by General Andrew
Jackson, who promptly seized the town
involving the country in war with
Spain, but that did not deter him. AZ
ter the war the city was evacuated by
the American troops, but "Old Hickory"
seized IL again in 1918. retaining pos
session until western Florida passed |
to the United States in 1919
Fort pickens, lying on the western |
end OF Santa Rosa island. was the only |
post south OF the Mason Dixon line
occupied by federal troops during the |
Civil war. The southern troops held |
Fort Barrances and the navy yard and
many efforts were made by either
party TO GUST the other.
Growing Fast
The constant turmoil in which The /
city has conferred since is foundation
naturally retarded its growth, but it