Posts Tagged ‘santa rosa island’

Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier

Pensacola Beach History and Facts

 

 

 

Pensacola Beach, Florida: Fast Historical Facts about Pensacola Beach

 

Pensacola Beach, Florida is known and loved for its white sands and festive atmosphere. Locals and visitors enjoy the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico, flaming-orange sunsets and delightful breezes year-round here. Many people fail to realize that Pensacola Beach is also a location that holds significant historical value as well.

 

Here are some fast and fun facts concerning the history of Pensacola Beach:

 

• v It was Fernando Maldonado who first anchored in Pensacola Beach waters to weather the winter of 1539-1540;
• v Maldonado was a lieutenant under the early Spanish Conquistador Hernando de Soto during the early Spanish exploration of North America;
• v Later, in 1559, Don Tristan de Luna y Arellano was the first to lead a settlement at Pensacola Beach. He brought 11 ships and 1500 settlers and anchored in the bay that today serves as the US Naval Air Station Pensacola;
• v Just weeks into the settling, a hurricane hit and destroyed 5 of the ships and killed hundreds of the settlers. After long-term famine and disease, the settlement was abandoned in 1561;
• v It wasn’t until 1722 that a presidio was established on Santa Rosa Island near what is now Fort Pickens;
• v Again, hurricanes hit in both 1741 and 1752 and forced the relocation of the presidio to the mainland;

 

More interesting facts concerning the history and present of Pensacola Beach, Florida below:

 

• v The construction of Fort Pickens was complete in 1834;
• v The Fort was used actively until WWII when new weaponry rendered it ineffective;
• v After its use as a military fort was ended, Fort Pickens was used to house Apache prisoners – including Geronimo;
• v Fort Pickens now serves as a historical monument. It features an auditorium, museum and a center for visitors that offers information and souvenirs;
• v Although still visible from the highway and trails, Fort Pickens proper is now off limits to visitors since Hurricane Ivan imposed severe damages on it;

 

Still more about the Pensacola Beach and surrounding areas:

 

• v Pensacola Beach is an unincorporated community that is situated on Santa Rosa Island;
• v Santa Rosa Island sits across from Pensacola, Florida in the Escambia County;
• v Santa Rosa Island is connected to the mainland via bridges that span to the Fairpoint Peninsula;
• v The 2000 census showed the population of Pensacola Beach to be 2738;
• v The land that comprises Pensacola Beach was obtained in 1947 by the US Department of Interior and cannot be owned. Instead, its permanent residents are looked upon as long-term leasers;
• v Pensacola Beach is a hot spot for hurricane action. It has been significantly blasted 4 times since 1995;

 

Pensacola Beach, Florida remains as a tourist favorite for people from all over the planet. The weather is almost always pleasant. The sunsets are magnificent. The locals are friendly and the fishing is great. Be sure to visit the exciting and historic settlement of Pensacola Beach on your next trip through the Sunshine State.