The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-02
About the Dock site
Ito Pensacola Journal:

Editor Pensacola Journal:
There has been so many misstate-
ments made recently in regard to what
is known as the Bars wharf site Of
fered to the city for municipal docks.
that think 1t is time that the public
should be acquainted with the actual
facts in the matter.
I am the real estate agent represent
ing the owners of this property. The
owners are the Dunwody- Aiken Tow
Boat company, and the title they have
to this property is one Of the best of
any property within the city Of Pen
sacola. The title runs with the several
transfers direct to this company from
the original government grant, and is
absolute. These are facts all of which
are plainly and clearly established in
the public records Of Escambia county
State of Florida.
The Dunwoody Aiken Towhoat COM
pany bought this property from Mr.
VIM. II. Knowles under a warranty
deed October II, 1904. Under this deed
this company acquired title to practi-
cally the west half of block 80, north
Of Main street, and practically the west
half Of block 56, south of Main street,
and certain lots and fractions of lots
in the remaining blocks south of the
above property. covered by water to
the pier head line of the Bay of PEN
sacola. The original grant carried title
to all of the water property lying
south of the shore property to the pier
head line Of the Bay of Pensacola. The
Water Front commission appointed by
the State OF Florida, did not ac-
knowledge the title to some of the
submerged property acquired under
this grant and decided that part of this |
property to the city of Pensacola, but |
the title in full to the
balance Of the property under the
Knowles deed.
After years spent at considerable /
expense in searching government rec
ords for original maps and papers 10
establish beyond doubt the true own
ership of the water rights Of the above
property, this company acquired the
proof necessary to make this title good
to that part Of the property denied by
the Water Front commission Of the
State OF Florida. The attorneys for
this company We're preparing the re-
quired papers and testimony for suit
to establish this title when. in 1917.
the company was approached by for
eign capital to lease all of this prop
srty for certain shipbuilding purposes.
The matter was Of such Importance
that the owners of the property took
the matter up with the city authori-
ties and laid before them all their
claims. etc. as to the ownership of the /
property. After the matter was gone
INTO thoroughly, the city fora consid- +
Grafton Of $500 gave the Dunwody-
Aiken Tow Boat company a quit claim
Iced for the submerged property In
dispute This made the title to the en-
ire property perfect.
Now, just a word as to the value of
this property. In the year 1911 the
Dunwody aiken Tow Boat company
stopped active business, and made a
division OF its assets among its stock
lolders. This wharf property was val I
led at 100000, and a settlement was /
made with the company's retiring j
at that figure. This was
before the water rights mentioned
lbove were cleared up. In 1915 there |
we're outstanding mortgages on this
property for $22, 500. Money was loaned Z
1ere at that time on about 40 per e
.ent valuation, fixing the value OF this (
property when the loan was made in
,ound figures at $50. $4,000. This was !
Llso before the water rights were {
cleared up. During the last few weeks I
have had occasion to price the prop I
,rty joining the Dunwody- Aiken Tow Ii
Boat company's property in block 90.
from the prices I obtained the prop- s.
.rty owned by the above company in 3
docks SO and Sc would be worth alone
t least $4,000. The company has {
illed in considerable Of the water i
property and built a creosoted bulk
cad 500 feet long on the west side Of
his fill. am informed by compe-
ent contractor that this fill and bulk /
lead could not be reproduced under
&c, 10000.
Yours truly. 10
r. c. CALDWELL.