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Fascinating Historical Photos Of Pensacola From 20th Century

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Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle. This area was first documented as “Panzacola” in 1686, which was a name of Native American origin given to Pensacola Bay and subsequently to the Spanish settlements. During the American Civil War, Confederates occupied Pensacola, but Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island offshore remained in Union hands. After the civil war, the lumber, cotton, agriculture, and fishing industry boomed. In 1884, German immigrant Conrad Kupfrian, along with his business partners, launched the first streetcars in the city. The service was replaced with motor buses in 1932. At the beginning of the 20th century, the bricking making and papermaking industries were built. Shipping declined in importance, but the military and manufacturing became prominent. The navy yard became a naval air station in 1914.

Here below are some historical photos of old Pensacola from the early 20th century that show streets, roads, landmarks, buildings, and everyday life of people.

#1 A group of swimers at Bayview Park, Pensacola, 1910s

A group of swimers at Bayview Park, Pensacola, 1910s

21 Points
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#2 Pensacola’s Independence Day celebration in Bayview Park, 1908

Pensacola's Independence Day celebration in Bayview Park, 1908

10 Points
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#3 The first Pensacola Bay Bridge shortly before it opened in 1931

The first Pensacola Bay Bridge shortly before it opened in 1931

10 Points
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#4 American National Bank, Palafox Street, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1910

American National Bank, Palafox Street, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1910

9 Points
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#5 Plaza Ferdinand and harbor, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1910

Plaza Ferdinand and harbor, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1910

9 Points
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#6 Louisville & Nashville Railway station, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1910

Louisville & Nashville Railway station, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1910

9 Points
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#8 Striking streetcar workers pose with a “captured” streetcar in the early days of a 1908 strike, Pensacola

Striking streetcar workers pose with a “captured” streetcar in the early days of a 1908 strike, Pensacola

9 Points
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#10 The Motor Inn, on the southeast corner of Alcaniz and Gadsden Streets in 1931

The Motor Inn, on the southeast corner of Alcaniz and Gadsden Streets in 1931

8 Points
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#11 Louisville and Nashville Railway station, Pensacola, 1910

Louisville and Nashville Railway station, Pensacola, 1910

7 Points
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#12 Opera House and American National Bank, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1904

Opera House and American National Bank, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1904

7 Points
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#15 An East Hill streetcar prepares to head across Bayou Texar to East Pensacola Heights, 1910s

An East Hill streetcar prepares to head across Bayou Texar to East Pensacola Heights, 1910s

7 Points
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#16 Two streetcars meet at Palafox and Gregory Streets in Pensacola, 1910s

Two streetcars meet at Palafox and Gregory Streets in Pensacola, 1910s

7 Points
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#17 Palafox Street looking south from Chase Street, Pensacola, 1910s

Palafox Street looking south from Chase Street, Pensacola, 1910s

7 Points
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#18 Kids eating watermelon during the Independence Day celebration in Bayview Park, Pensacola, 1908

Kids eating watermelon during the Independence Day celebration in Bayview Park, Pensacola, 1908

7 Points
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#19 The first men and women bath house, Pensacola, 1910

The first men and women bath house, Pensacola, 1910

7 Points
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#26 Streetcar tracks in the North Palafox Street median, 1910

Streetcar tracks in the North Palafox Street median, 1910

6 Points
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#29 The Palafox Apartments and other shops on South Palafox Street, Pansacola, 1936

The Palafox Apartments and other shops on South Palafox Street, Pansacola, 1936

6 Points
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#30 Beachgoers sit under umbrellas at the Pensacola Beach Casino, 1930s

Beachgoers sit under umbrellas at the Pensacola Beach Casino, 1930s

6 Points
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#31 A rare look inside the Pensacola Beach Casino, circa 1930s

A rare look inside the Pensacola Beach Casino, circa 1930s

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#33 A 30 foot diving platform at the the shore of the park in Bayou Texar, East Pensacola, 1910

A 30 foot diving platform at the the shore of the park in Bayou Texar, East Pensacola, 1910

5 Points
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#34 Texaco station located at 400 East Gadsden Street, Pensacola, 1934

Texaco station located at 400 East Gadsden Street, Pensacola, 1934

5 Points
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#37 People enjoying boating, swimming, skiing at Bayview Park, Pensacola, 1930

People enjoying boating, swimming, skiing at Bayview Park, Pensacola, 1930

5 Points
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#39 Nurse pouring milk in the glasses for patients at Pensacola Hospital, 1930s

Nurse pouring milk in the glasses for patients at Pensacola Hospital, 1930s

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#40 The Halloween Night Fire of 1905 devastated Pensacola’s commercial section

The Halloween Night Fire of 1905 devastated Pensacola’s commercial section

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#41 The Bass Building and Hannah’s Pharmacy, Pansacola, 1930s

The Bass Building and Hannah’s Pharmacy, Pansacola, 1930s

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#42 Palafox Street looking southwest toward Government Street, 1921

Palafox Street looking southwest toward Government Street, 1921

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#43 Plaza Ferdinand VII, looking north, Pansacola, 1923

Plaza Ferdinand VII, looking north, Pansacola, 1923

5 Points
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#44 South Palafox Street’s Brent Building, Pansacola, 1920s

South Palafox Street’s Brent Building, Pansacola, 1920s

5 Points
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#45 The Gilbert Hotel, located at Palafox and Government streets, Pansacola, 1939

The Gilbert Hotel, located at Palafox and Government streets, Pansacola, 1939

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#46 The Fisher Realty offices on the southeast corner of Palafox and Intendencia streets in 1936

The Fisher Realty offices on the southeast corner of Palafox and Intendencia streets in 1936

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#53 A crowd gathers at the Pensacola Beach Casino to watch a boxing match, 1930s

A crowd gathers at the Pensacola Beach Casino to watch a boxing match, 1930s

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#54 A boxing match underway at the Pensacola Beach, 1930s

A boxing match underway at the Pensacola Beach, 1930s

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#55 The Pensacola Beach Casino and its pier were essentially the only structures on the island in the 1930s

The Pensacola Beach Casino and its pier were essentially the only structures on the island in the 1930s

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#57 Young ladies at Pensacola Beach sitting atop a sign for the Child Restaurant, circa 1935

Young ladies at Pensacola Beach sitting atop a sign for the Child Restaurant, circa 1935

5 Points
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#58 Plant of the Consolidated Naval Stores Company, Pensacola, Florida, 1903

Plant of the Consolidated Naval Stores Company, Pensacola, Florida, 1903

4 Points
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#59 Sorting cotton at Atlantic Cotton Compress Co., Pensacola, Florida, 1905

Sorting cotton at Atlantic Cotton Compress Co., Pensacola, Florida, 1905

4 Points
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#60 Palafox Street, American National Bank Building, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1910

Palafox Street, American National Bank Building, Pensacola, Florida, circa 1910

4 Points
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#62 Palafox and Garden streets, looking west, Pansacola, 1912

Palafox and Garden streets, looking west, Pansacola, 1912

4 Points
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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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