Panama City Beach
Panhandle of Florida

Back in the early 1800s, the Panama City area was a lawless land of runaway slaves and Indians and it was not until 1818, when General Andrew Jackson and his troops passed through the area on their way to New Orleans, that the area was properly surveyed. Named by the Spanish as St. Andrews Bay, many of Jackson’s soldiers returned to the area, settling along the coast and eventually establishing old town St. Andrews.

ALMOST DESTROYED IN 1862...
The town grew steadily and by 1825 it had become a point of entry due to its deep water harbor. Trade was good with cotton, beef, pork and lumber being shipped out while salt, coffee and other commodities were received. The town was all but destroyed during the Civil War in 1862 when, after the killing of two Yankee soldiers, Federal forces launched a devastating attack, burning most of the town to the ground. Those settlers remaining turned their attention to the sea and by 1879 there were approximately 25 families fishing the waters of the gulf. By the early 1900s, the area had become established as a lumber town and in 1906 the railway had arrived, thanks to a donation from Asa Candler, the founder of Coca Cola.

HOME TO THE STEALTH FIGHTER...
With the advent of World War II, an area southeast of Panama City was chosen as a field gunnery school and named after World War I fighter pilot, Lieutenant Francis B. Tyndall. During the war more than 2,000 students passed through Tyndall Field, the most famous being actor Clark Gable - a student during 1943. The war ended and the base came under the control of the USAF and was renamed Tyndall Air Force Base. Today it is home to the 325th Fighter Wing and the Air Force’s newest aircraft - the F/A-22 'Raptor' stealth fighter.

AMERICA'S MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH...
Panama City Beach was rated the most beautiful beach in America by the University of Maryland’s Laboratory of Coastal Research. With its miles of snow white sand and amusement parks, this truly is family vacation heaven. Although highly commercialized, the area does offer good value for money with all the attractions, restaurants and bars vying for your hard-earned tax dollars.

FUN FOR ALL AGES AND PLENTY OF NIGHTLIFE...
Kids big and small cannot help but have a good time on the numerous go-kart tracks, paintball zones, batting cages and the miniature golf courses. The nightlife is vibrant - as you would expect - and there are plenty of souvenir shops, so you won’t return home empty-handed. The Shipwreck Island Water Park is worth a visit with its large wave pool and many slides, making it a good distraction from the beach.

FAMOUS FOR BIG GAME FISHING...
In common with the other areas along the Emerald Coast, Panama City Beach is known for its fishing. The Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament is the premier sporting event on the Gulf of Mexico and home to the largest Blue Marlin ever caught in the state of Florida. Held in July, fishermen struggle to land huge game fish in an effort to win the grand prize.

OVER 30 DIVE SITES...
Since the 1970s, an artificial reef program has been placing ships, planes and bridge spans offshore, creating an ecosystem which is home to diverse marine life. Known as the 'wreck capital of the south', the Panama City Beach area is the second most explored Florida dive destination, with over 30 dive sites to chose from. One site worth diving on is the wreck of the famous Empire Mica - a 465-ft British tanker that was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1942 and located in 110-ft of water 20 miles off the coast.

BOUTIQUES, RESTAURANTS AND SUMMER CONCERTS...
Historical St. Andrews - where Panama City began - takes up several square miles with its collection of boutique shops and unique restaurants overlooking the bay and is worth taking some time to explore. The highlights of the social calendar are the annual Mardi Gras celebration, the Shrimp and Oyster Festival and the Christmas Boat Light Parade. Live music lovers should check out the concert schedule at MacKenzie Park, the site for many summer concerts.

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