Bob Hanley, Realtor

  Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county   seat of Escambia County, Florida.  Pensacola is a sea port on Pensacola Bay, which is protected by the barrier island of Santa Rosa and connects to the Gulf of Mexico. Naval Air Station Pensacola, the first Naval Air Station in the United States, is located southwest of Pensacola; it is the base of the Blue Angels flight demonstration team and the National Naval Aviation Museum. The main campus of the University of West Florida  is situated north of the city center.
The area was originally inhabited by Muskogean peoples; the Pensacola people lived there at the time of European contact and Creek people frequently visited and traded from present-day southern Alabama. Spanish explorer Tristán de Luna’s founded a short-lived settlement in 1559. In 1698 the Spanish established a presidio in the area, from which the modern city gradually developed. The area changed hands several times as European powers competed in North America. During Florida’s British rule (1763–1789), fortifications were strengthened. It is nicknamed “The City of Five Flags,” due to the five governments that have ruled it during its history: the flags of Spain(Castile), France, Great Britain, the United States of America and the Confederate States of America. Other nicknames include “World’s Whitest Beaches” (due to the white sand of Florida panhandle beaches), “Cradle of Naval Aviation”, “Western Gate to the Sunshine State”, “America’s First Settlement”, “Emerald Coast”, “Redneck Riviera”, “Red Snapper Capital of the World”, and “P-Cola”.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.7 square miles, consisting of 22.7 square miles of land and 17.0 square miles water.
There are a number of annual festivals, events, historic tours, and landmarks. The Pensacola Seafood Festival and The Pensacola Crawfish Festival held in the heart of historic Downtown has been held for nearly 30 years with live music acts. The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival is held annually in November in Seville Square often drawing more than 200 regional and international artists as well as The Children’s Art Festival which is held in the same park featuring art by children from local area schools. There are several walking tours of 18th century era restored neighborhoods in Historic Village Pensacola.
Pensacola is the site of The Vietnam Veteran’s Wall South. There are a number of historical military installations from the Civil War including Fort Barrancas. Fort Pickens served as a temporary prison for Geronimo. There is the National Naval Aviation Museum and Pensacola Lighthouse at NAS Pensacola.
Looking for something else fun to do? According to the season, check out the Blue Wahoos, the Pensacola Ice Flyers, Sam’s Fun City and Fast Eddies Fun Center.