From the Jan. 11, 2013, Panama City (Fl) News Herald "Picture Perfect: 1960s beach postcard model reflects upon a simpler time" by Tony Simmons.
As I sit here at the Driftwood Lodge which is just celebrating its 55th year and is one of the last two-story (well, and a cabana level right by the beach where I'm typing away right now) mom-and-pop places along the beach. Directly to the west of us is the 22-story Calypso condominium complex, one of the many skyscrapers now along the beach. So right in our little section, you have the old right next to the new.
This was a two-page spread in the Panama City.com section and featured lots of photos of Melody May at various spots around the long-gone 1960s beach.
Back in 1965, "Front Beach Road was called 'The Miracle Strip' and an observation tower dominated the sky, overlooking an amusement park, some small mom-and-pop motels, and miles of pristine sand dunes."
In 1965, 18-year-old Melody May had just graduated from Bay High School. She and her sisters went to Holiday Lodge where a photographer was going to pick someone for Panama City Beach publicity. PCB's Economic Development Association, forerunner of today's Convention and Visitors Bureau was going to make postcards for use in pamphlets, newspapers and magazines to help promote PCB as a vacation destination.
More to Come. --Cooter
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