ON THE TOWN: PENSACOLA
LOCAL FACES
BY KELLY ODEN
A billion dollars a year of heritage requires passionate locals area’s who truly embody the area s rich ric history.
Maria Davis Davis, a Spanish native, has served as Honorary Vice Consul of Spain since 1984 and was instrumental in arranging the 2009 visit of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía. As honorary consul, Davis promotes the commercial, economic, cultural and scientific relations between Spain and Pensacola, and she has been called “the moving force” behind Pensacola’s flourishing relationship with Spanish sister city Macharaviaya.
Frank Patti Frank Patti, owner of local mainstay Joe Patti Seafood Company, and his family are local legends. His father, Joe, opened the now famous seafood market in 1933. It’s been running ever since, selling flopping fresh seafood and attracting thousands of visitors to its eclectic market atmosphere each day. Frank Patti himself can usually be found working the fish counter while enlightening pescophiles on the merits of the day’s catch. What role has the fishing industry played in Pensacola? “From the 1870s, the snapper industry was a major player in Pensacola. There were probably about 60 vessels that fished out of Pensacola in Mexican waters, but the snapper slowed down in the 1950s when Mexico stopped allowing American vessels within 12 miles of their shore. In the 1930s, my father started out with shrimp. Americans didn’t eat much shrimp in those days; it was primarily used for bait. My dad would catch the shrimp, and my mother sold it off the back porch of the house.”
Few people know that Pensacola has such strong ties to Spain. What’s the relationship? “Pensacola was one of the first places the Europeans came to. Tristán de Luna landed here, as did many other conquistadors who came to America. General Galvez played an important role in the Revolutionary War by defeating the British at Pensacola and reconquering Florida for Spain.” Did the king and queen have a good time when they visited? “They were very happy, they thought it was beautiful. We also have a wonderful history downtown; many of the streets are named for Spanish generals—Palafox, Barcelona, Plaza De Luna and Plaza Ferdinand. The king loved this. Every little corner reminds you of that history.” Where would you send visitors for a taste of Spain’s influence on Pensacola? “The T.T. Wentworth Museum has wonderful history exhibits, beginning with Tristán de Luna. Part of the museum is also dedicated to General Galvez. Saint Michael’s Michael s Cemetery is also a beautiful reminder of all the Spanish p who have lived and died here.” a here.
John Appleyard One of Pensacola’s oldest residents, 90-year-old Appleyard has lived here since 1950. As the city’s leading historian, he has written dozens of books on Pensacola’s past, including A Short History of Pensacola: Volumes 1 and 2; Pensacola: A City Under 6 Flags—A Novel; and Fifteen Mysteries of Pensacola, 100 Years Ago. You write your history books on a typewriter, which seems oddly appropriate. “Well, I gave the computer an honest, one-year trial, and it defeated me. I have a collection of six manual typewriters, including two 1954 Royals.” St. Augustine is the nation’s oldest continuous European settlement, but Pensacola is the first. How is that possible? “The planned initial settlement, led by Tristán de Luna y Arellano, had about 1,550 people. The colony arrived here in August 1559 and within four days was struck by a hurricane, destroying all supplies and killing a number of people.”
How many shrimp boats do you operate, and how many pounds of shrimp do they bring in? “We operate 12 or 13 big vessels. They stay out 30 to 50 days per trip and bring in 20 to 30,000 pounds of shrimp per ship.”
How do you feel about the heritage trail? “I think it’s a very fine idea. It will promote Pensacola’s history and generate money. Other places are doing these things to attract visitors, and with our rich history, we should be, too.”
What tips can you offer fishing aficionados? “We have a fishing pier right on Pensacola Bay, which is strictly for fishing. People do pretty well off of that bridge; it’s a neat place to go. The bridge is 2,576 feet long, and you can catch redfish, pompano, bluefish, trout, Spanish mackerel and king mackerel.”
With so many blasts from the past, what do you show first-time visiting history buffs? “I make certain that we visit the worldclass Museum of Naval Aviation. I always drive through the historic village, and the Veteran’s Memorial Park has become a real center of interest for those with an interest in the military.”
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14/09/2012 15:03