Historic Districts of Panama City

Panama City Historic Buildings

Here you can get familiar with the various historic districts of Panama City

A Brief History of Panama City Florida

In the 1800s what we now know as Panama City was collectively called St. Andrew Bay or The Bay Country.

Settlers first began arriving about 1820, most near the Econfina area where fresh drinking water was abundant. More people came to the area during the Civil War, lured by the Confederacy's offer of conscription for anyone who came here to extract salt from sea water. Salt was a vital commodity during the civil war, it was used for curing meat, fertilizing, tanning hides and sustaining livestock.

The city's name was inspired by the Panama Canal, which was being built at the time the city was formed. Incorporation occurred in 1909. The local population was somewhere between 400 to 600 people at that time. R.L. McKenzie was elected as the first mayor. During the year 1926 St. Andrews and Millville were brought under the Panama City government.

You can explore the historic districts of Panama City by clicking on the photos or descriptions below.

Main Street Panama City is full of unique shops, restaurants, antique and gift stores, plus many professional offices. This is where the city began. Several different festivals and markets are held here throughout the year.

St. Andrews originally began life as a fishing community and it still maintains that feeling today. Here you can stroll along the waterfront, explore the shops, admire the boats in the marina and dine at the great restaurants.

Millville is a quaint and quiet town. Here you will find one of the oldest local oyster bars in the area, as well as a real old fashioned hardware store.