PEN'SACO'LA. The second city of Florida, a port of entry, and the county seat of Escamhia County, 204 miles west of Tallahassee: on the Louisville and Nashville and the Pensacola, Ala bama and Tennessee railroads (Slap: Florida, A 1). Situated on Pensacola Bay about six miles from the Gulf of Mexico, it has a land locked, deep, and commodious harbor. the en trance to which is defended by forts Pickens. Barrancas., and MeRee. There is a large navy yard here; and the remains of the Spanish fort resses San Miguel and San Bernardo are of inter est. Among the fine structures in the city arc the State Armory. opera house, court house. and the Federal Government building, the last having cost $250,000. There are public parks of considerable beauty. Pensacola is chiefly a commercial centre. its lumber interests being notable. It has a trade also in fish. coal, cotton, naval stores, grain. etc. The commerce of the port in 1901 included ex ports valued at $13,456,000 and imports to the amount of $238.000. Because of the increased
trade. especially with the West Indies. extensive improvements are being made in connection with the railroad terminal facilities. Population. in 1890, 11,750; in 1900. 17.747.
Pensacola was permanently settled in 1696 by Spaniards from Vera Cruz. It was captured by the French in 1719, was restored to Spain in 1723, and passed into the hands of the British in 1763. In 1781 it was captured by a Spanish force under Governor Bernardo Galvez. During the War of 1812, owing to the assistance given here to the English, it was taken (1814) by Genera] .Tackson, who again in 1818 captured it on account of Spanish encouragement of hostile Indian attacks. The United States took formal possession in 1821, in pursuance of the treaty of 1819. In 1861 the Confederates seized the navy yard here, but were unable to capture Fort Pick ens, and in 1862 they evacuated the 'city. A destructive fire occurred in 1864.