Pensacola is a city located in the Florida panhandle, serving as the county seat of Escambia County. According to the 2020 census, the city has a population of 54,312. It is the primary city within the Pensacola metropolitan area, which has a population of 509,905 residents.
1907: Creeks applied for Eastern Cherokee enrollment
In 1907, 116 Creeks in Pensacola applied for the Eastern Cherokee enrollment, believing all Indians were eligible.
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1908: Creeks applied for Eastern Cherokee enrollment
In 1908, 116 Creeks in Pensacola applied for the Eastern Cherokee enrollment, believing all Indians were eligible.
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1908: Streetcar strike and martial law
In 1908, Pensacola experienced a citywide streetcar strike, leading to the stationing of state militia and the declaration of martial law.
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1914: Naval Air Station Pensacola commissioned
In 1914, Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) was the first naval air station commissioned by the U.S. Navy.
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1928: Frisco Railroad Access to Pensacola
In 1928, the Frisco Railroad acquired several short lines, providing it access to the port of Pensacola.
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1953: Opening of Five Flags Speedway
In 1953, the Five Flags Speedway, a half-mile paved racetrack, opened.
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1955: Frisco Passenger Service Ends
In 1955, Frisco passenger service to Pensacola ended.
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1958: Pensacola Open (PGA Tour)
In 1958, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Open (PGA Tour, 1958–1988).
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1962: John Glenn orbits Earth
In 1962, John H. Glenn, who trained at NASP, became the first American to orbit the Earth.
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1965: Pensacola Ladies Invitational (LPGA Tour)
In 1965, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Ladies Invitational (LPGA Tour, 1965–1968).
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1968: Pensacola Ladies Invitational (LPGA Tour)
In 1968, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Ladies Invitational (LPGA Tour, 1965–1968).
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1968: Snowball Derby held at Five Flags Speedway
Since 1968, the Five Flags Speedway hosts the Snowball Derby stock car race every December.
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1969: Neil Armstrong sets foot on the Moon
In 1969, Neil Armstrong, who trained at NASP, became the first man to set foot on the Moon.
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1971: L&N Passenger Service Ends
In 1971, L&N passenger service, including the Gulf Wind, ended with the advent of Amtrak.
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1975: Hurricane Eloise
In 1975, Hurricane Eloise made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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1979: Hurricane Frederic
In 1979, Hurricane Frederic made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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July 14, 1980: Record high temperature
On July 14, 1980, Pensacola recorded its highest temperature ever at 106 °F (41 °C).
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January 11, 1982: Record low temperature
On January 11, 1982, Pensacola recorded a temperature of 8 °F (−13 °C), one of the lowest temperatures ever recorded in the city.
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January 21, 1985: Record low temperature
On January 21, 1985, Pensacola recorded a temperature of 5 °F (−15 °C), one of the lowest temperatures ever recorded in the city.
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1985: Hurricane Juan
In 1985, Hurricane Juan made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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1986: City Hall Opened
The current Pensacola City Hall was opened in 1986.
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1988: Pensacola Open (PGA Tour)
In 1988, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Open (PGA Tour, 1958–1988).
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1990: Pensacola Classic (Nike Tour)
In 1990, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Classic (Nike Tour, 1990–1995).
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1991: Climate Normals
In the 1991-2020 climate normals, the daily average temperature in January is 53.2 °F (11.8 °C).
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1993: Amtrak Sunset Limited Service Restored
From early 1993 through August 2005 Pensacola was served by the tri-weekly Amtrak Sunset Limited.
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1994: Republican Joe Scarborough elected
In 1994, Republican Joe Scarborough was elected to represent Florida's 1st congressional district, marking a shift towards Republican dominance in the area.
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1995: Hurricane Erin
In 1995, Hurricane Erin made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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1995: Hurricane Opal
In 1995, Hurricane Opal made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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1995: Pensacola Classic (Nike Tour)
In 1995, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Classic (Nike Tour, 1990–1995).
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1998: Hurricane Georges
In 1998, Hurricane Georges made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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2000: Population Data from 2000 Census
According to the 2000 census, Pensacola had a population of 56,255 people residing in 24,524 households.
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2002: Pensacola Pelicans team founded
From 2002 to 2010, the Pensacola Pelicans was an independent league baseball team that played at Jim Spooner Field.
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September 16, 2004: Hurricane Ivan devastates Pensacola
On September 16, 2004, Hurricane Ivan devastated Pensacola, causing a large storm surge that destroyed the I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge and the fishing bridge alongside the Three Mile Bridge.
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2004: Hurricane Ivan
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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2004: USS Oriskany sunk as artificial reef
In 2004, the USS Oriskany was purposefully sunk off the shores of Pensacola to create an artificial reef.
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July 2005: Hurricane Dennis made landfall
In July 2005, Hurricane Dennis made landfall just east of Pensacola, causing moderate damage in downtown due to hurricane-force winds.
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August 2005: Amtrak Sunset Limited Service Suspended
In August 2005, Amtrak Sunset Limited service east of New Orleans to Jacksonville and Orlando was suspended due to Hurricane Katrina damage.
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2005: Hurricane Dennis
In 2005, Hurricane Dennis made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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2005: Hurricane Katrina's impact
In 2005, Pensacola received a glancing blow from Hurricane Katrina, resulting in light to moderate damage and a subsequent reduction in tourism from affected areas.
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2008: Start of The Pelican Drop
From 2008 to 2018, The Pelican Drop was a significant attraction in the area, drawing in crowds of up to 50,000 local residents and visitors.
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2008: First Pelican Drop New Year's Celebration
In 2008, the first Pelican Drop New Year's Celebration took place at Plaza Ferdinand VII, drawing almost 45,000 people.
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2009: Citizens vote to approve new city charter
In 2009, citizens voted to approve new city charter, which led to adoption of strong mayor-council form of government in 2011.
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2010: Population Data from 2010 Census
According to the 2010 census, Pensacola had a population of 51,923 people residing in 23,592 households.
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2010: Pensacola Pelicans team plays last season
From 2002 to 2010, the Pensacola Pelicans was an independent league baseball team that played at Jim Spooner Field.
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June 2011: High temperatures recorded
In June 2011, Pensacola experienced relatively rare temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C), with highs reaching the century mark on two of the first four days of the month.
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2011: Adoption of strong mayor-council form of government
In 2011, Pensacola adopted a strong mayor-council form of government after citizen approval in 2009.
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June 2012: Widespread flooding
In June 2012, over one foot (300 mm) of rain fell on Pensacola and adjacent areas, leading to widespread flooding.
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June 11, 2013: Charter amendment eliminates at-large council seats
On June 11, 2013, Pensacola voters approved a charter amendment eliminating two at-large seats from the city council.
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April 29, 2014: Severe flooding
On April 29, 2014, Pensacola was drenched by at least 20 inches of rain within a 24-hour period, resulting in the worst flooding in 30 years.
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November 4, 2014: Charter amendments approved
On November 4, 2014, Pensacola voters approved two charter amendments making the mayor subject to recall and granting the city council the authority to hire staff.
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November 2014: At-large seat was phased out in November 2014
One at-large seat was phased out in November 2014.
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2014: Pelican Drop recognized by Southeast Tourism Society
In 2014, the Pelican Drop event was named as one of the top-20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.
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January 8, 2015: Rare low temperature
On January 8, 2015, Pensacola experienced a rare low temperature of 19 °F (−7.2 °C).
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February 23, 2016: EF3 tornado hits Pensacola
On February 23, 2016, a large EF3 wedge tornado struck the northwest part of Pensacola, causing major damage and several injuries.
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November 2016: At-large seat was expired in November 2016
The other at-large seat was expired in November 2016.
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December 9, 2017: Snowfall event
On December 9, 2017, Pensacola experienced a snowfall event.
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2017: Pelican Drop simulcast on WEAR website
Beginning with the 2017 celebration, Pelican Drop events were carried in simulcast on WEAR's website.
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2018: Winter season with no freeze recorded
During the 2018-19 winter season, Pensacola did not record a freeze.
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2018: End of The Pelican Drop
From 2008 to 2018, The Pelican Drop was a significant attraction in the area, drawing in crowds of up to 50,000 local residents and visitors.
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June 1, 2019: Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad Acquisition
On June 1, 2019, the Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad acquired the CSX main line from Pensacola to Baldwin, Florida.
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December 2019: Pelican Drop canceled
In December 2019, organizers announced the cancellation of the Pelican Drop due to financial issues and the burden on local services.
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September 2020: Hurricane Sally inflicts heavy damage
In September 2020, Pensacola suffered heavy damage from Hurricane Sally, with estimated damages in Escambia County reaching $29 million and downtown Pensacola experiencing flooding.
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2020: Population Data from 2020 Census
According to the 2020 census, Pensacola had a population of 54,312 people residing in 24,748 households.
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2020: Population at 2020 census
In 2020, Pensacola had a population of 54,312 according to the census, and the Pensacola metropolitan area had 509,905 residents.
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2020: Climate Normals
In the 1991-2020 climate normals, the daily average temperature in January is 53.2 °F (11.8 °C).
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August 2023: Pensacola International Airport Airlines
In August 2023, Pensacola International Airport was served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines.
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2023: American Community Survey Data
As of the 2023 American Community Survey, Pensacola has an estimated 24,979 households with an average of 2.14 persons per household.
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September 7, 2024: Commissioning of USS Richard M. McCool Jr.
On September 7, 2024, Naval Air Station Pensacola hosted the commissioning ceremony of the USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29).
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November 2024: Matt Gaetz resignation
Pensacola was represented in the United States House of Representatives by Matt Gaetz (R) until his resignation in November 2024.
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2024: America's Cup team American Magic call Pensacola their home port
In 2024, America's Cup team American Magic call Pensacola their home port until the 2024 America's Cup commences.
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January 21, 2025: Record-breaking snowfall
On January 21, 2025, Pensacola experienced a record-breaking snowfall event, with up to 9.4 inches of accumulation and near-blizzard conditions.
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