History of Pensacola, Florida in Timeline
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.
1908: Creeks applied for Eastern Cherokee enrollment
In 1908, 116 Creeks in Pensacola applied for the Eastern Cherokee enrollment, believing all Indians were eligible.
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.
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.
1928: Frisco Railroad Access to Pensacola
In 1928, the Frisco Railroad acquired several short lines, providing it access to the port of Pensacola.
1953: Opening of Five Flags Speedway
In 1953, the Five Flags Speedway, a half-mile paved racetrack, opened.
1955: Frisco Passenger Service Ends
In 1955, Frisco passenger service to Pensacola ended.
1958: Pensacola Open (PGA Tour)
In 1958, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Open (PGA Tour, 1958–1988).
1962: John Glenn orbits Earth
In 1962, John H. Glenn, who trained at NASP, became the first American to orbit the Earth.
1965: Pensacola Ladies Invitational (LPGA Tour)
In 1965, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Ladies Invitational (LPGA Tour, 1965–1968).
1968: Pensacola Ladies Invitational (LPGA Tour)
In 1968, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Ladies Invitational (LPGA Tour, 1965–1968).
1968: Snowball Derby held at Five Flags Speedway
Since 1968, the Five Flags Speedway hosts the Snowball Derby stock car race every December.
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.
1971: L&N Passenger Service Ends
In 1971, L&N passenger service, including the Gulf Wind, ended with the advent of Amtrak.
1975: Hurricane Eloise
In 1975, Hurricane Eloise made landfall at or near Pensacola.
1979: Hurricane Frederic
In 1979, Hurricane Frederic made landfall at or near Pensacola.
July 14, 1980: Record high temperature
On July 14, 1980, Pensacola recorded its highest temperature ever at 106 °F (41 °C).
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.
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.
1985: Hurricane Juan
In 1985, Hurricane Juan made landfall at or near Pensacola.
1986: City Hall Opened
The current Pensacola City Hall was opened in 1986.
1988: Pensacola Open (PGA Tour)
In 1988, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Open (PGA Tour, 1958–1988).
1990: Pensacola Classic (Nike Tour)
In 1990, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Classic (Nike Tour, 1990–1995).
1991: Climate Normals
In the 1991-2020 climate normals, the daily average temperature in January is 53.2 °F (11.8 °C).
1993: Amtrak Sunset Limited Service Restored
From early 1993 through August 2005 Pensacola was served by the tri-weekly Amtrak Sunset Limited.
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.
1995: Hurricane Erin
In 1995, Hurricane Erin made landfall at or near Pensacola.
1995: Pensacola Classic (Nike Tour)
In 1995, the city hosted professional golf tournaments such as the Pensacola Classic (Nike Tour, 1990–1995).
1998: Hurricane Georges
In 1998, Hurricane Georges made landfall at or near Pensacola.
2000: Population Data from 2000 Census
According to the 2000 census, Pensacola had a population of 56,255 people residing in 24,524 households.
2002: Pensacola Pelicans team founded
From 2002 to 2010, the Pensacola Pelicans was an independent league baseball team that played at Jim Spooner Field.
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.
2004: Hurricane Ivan
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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.
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.
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.
2005: Hurricane Dennis
In 2005, Hurricane Dennis made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2010: Population Data from 2010 Census
According to the 2010 census, Pensacola had a population of 51,923 people residing in 23,592 households.
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.
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.
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.
June 2012: Widespread flooding
In June 2012, over one foot (300 mm) of rain fell on Pensacola and adjacent areas, leading to widespread flooding.
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.
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.
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.
November 2014: At-large seat was phased out in November 2014
One at-large seat was phased out in November 2014.
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.
January 8, 2015: Rare low temperature
On January 8, 2015, Pensacola experienced a rare low temperature of 19 °F (−7.2 °C).
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.
November 2016: At-large seat was expired in November 2016
The other at-large seat was expired in November 2016.
December 9, 2017: Snowfall event
On December 9, 2017, Pensacola experienced a snowfall event.
2017: Pelican Drop simulcast on WEAR website
Beginning with the 2017 celebration, Pelican Drop events were carried in simulcast on WEAR's website.
2018: Winter season with no freeze recorded
During the 2018-19 winter season, Pensacola did not record a freeze.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2020: Population Data from 2020 Census
According to the 2020 census, Pensacola had a population of 54,312 people residing in 24,748 households.
2020: Hurricane Sally
In 2020, Hurricane Sally made landfall at or near Pensacola.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
