Before Panama City was established officially in 1905, the area had been known as a thoroughfare for runaway slaves and indigenous peoples for at least 100 years. General Andrew Jackson's army marched through the region in 1818 which brought it national attention. General Jackson and his army spent quite a bit of time in the area, and many of them even returned with their families after the territory was later opened for settlement. In order to make Florida a new home for the growing American population, Jackson had a bit of a challenge with the relocation of all the Indians that inhabited the area. This was an ongoing battle for Jackson, until he finally signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. Just about the same time, Old Town St. Andrew was in the process of being established. The appeal and allure of the deep water didn't take long to set in with the region's residents and visitors. St. Andrew became the main port for shipments carrying cattle, cotton, pork, beef, lumber and lard to other countries all over the globe. In exchange for these products, coffee, salt, spices and other kinds of goods were received. Soon the abundant aquatic life in the waters of the harbor captured the attention of new tenants who decided to build cottages and homes right on St. Andrews Bay. The 1840s brought a tavern and post office to the tiny city, still known as St. Andrew or St. Andrews Bay. A Fishing Capital Is Born There were nearly 30 families that were living on the shores of St. John Bay by 1879. There were numerous species of fish, from pompano, Spanish mackerel and trout to bluefish, redfish, sheepshead and mullet. This was just what the pioneers needed in order to make the Panama City area their permanent residence, which they did in great numbers in the 1880s. The city of Gay was established then renamed as Lynn Haven. The last decades of the 19th century saw the very first sawmill constructed and industrialization surge as more lucrative business came to the town. The small community of Cromanton was built on the East Peninsula of what is now known as Tyndall Air Force Base until it was completely obliterated by a flu epidemic only a couple of years later. Nevertheless, the town still thrived, and by 1896, telephone service was provided from Chipley to St. Andrews Bay. With the growth and expansion of the region came the need for more jobs. The residents were soon put to work with the opening of the St. Andrews Lumber Co. For the eager workers, the mill provided many job opportunities and the area soon became known as Millville. When the United Fruit Company of New Orleans went on strike in 1905, its management made the decision to move the company where a port would be easily accessible. They chose what had most recently been dubbed Millville and set up shop there. The company named its new town "Panama City" in honor of its corporate connection to the country of Panama (which has its own Panama City, of course). Into a New Century of Promise By the year 1906, Panama City was already reaching its prime and becoming a booming city full of wealth and promise. The founder of Coca Cola, Asa Candler, contributed funding for the completion of the Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway in 1908, which connected the area to the rest of the booming country. In 1989, the Panama City Commission decided that the need to revitalize St. Andrews was important, as there was still tremendous potential for the area to thrive. The government recognized that potential and in that same year, St. Andrews was a designated Community Redevelopment Area and the state of Florida contributed a variety of grants to provide assistance for appropriate expansion and forward development. The city was really taking shape and attracting the attention of thousands of visitors and potential new residents year after year. Today, Panama City is a valuable and sustainable waterfront community, thanks to the ongoing innovation and successful partnerships that have developed between the citizens, local businessmen and the city itself. The region offers great beaches and a wonderful community in which to raise a family. From a city that was once considered a "no man's land" Panama City has become a popular tourist destination and growing metropolis that continues to thrive in every way.
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Before Panama City was established officially in 1905, the area had been known as a thoroughfare for runaway slaves and indigenous peoples for at least...
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