Showing posts with label Panama City Beach Florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Panama City Beach Florida. Show all posts
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Who Was J.R. Arnold of Panama City Beach?
From the February 12, 2018, Panama City (Fla.) News Herald. "Canadian Queries."
A vacationing Canadian wanted to know why there was a J.R. Arnold High School and street in Panama City Beach.
The correspondent found that Mr. Arnold was one of the people behind making Panama City Beach the vacation area it is today. It was his vision and financial backing that led to all of this. He saw the area as one for tourism and business.
He built the first motel in Bay County, the Palmetto Court Motel in 1948 and loaned money to other new beach businesses when banks wouldn't help them. President and chair of the Beach State Bank, started the Small Business Assistance Corporation, president of the Beach's Chamber of Commerce and involved in many other pro PCB organizations.
Death came to him on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1995.
Quite A Man. --CootPCB
Friday, May 1, 2015
Tough Life, But Someone's Got to Blog It
Sitting outside the room right now at Panama City Beach just a typin' away with my two little fingers with a view of the Gulf of Mexico about a hundred yards away with all that whiter than white sand and all the colors of blue.
I tell you, this sure beats typing in the basement.
Pretty noisy with all the motorcycles coming by. The folks in the room next to us just checked in. They are from Batesville, Indiana and are attending their ninth Thunder On the Beach rally.
Sittin' In the Sub. YourFriedCooter
I tell you, this sure beats typing in the basement.
Pretty noisy with all the motorcycles coming by. The folks in the room next to us just checked in. They are from Batesville, Indiana and are attending their ninth Thunder On the Beach rally.
Sittin' In the Sub. YourFriedCooter
Monday, January 28, 2013
Top O' The Strip Observation Tower in Panama City Beach
From Lost Parks.com and other sources.
This 200-foot observation tower opened in 1966 and offered a panoramic view of the beach before closing in 1995. It stood directly on the sugar white sands of Panama City Beach and right across the road from the Miracle Strip Amusement Park.
Opened in April 1966 and was demolished December 8, 1995. Deterioration from the years of salt spray and Hurricane Opal proved its undoing.
The Beach Tower Motel was later built on its site (and still stands today, we went looking for it).
In the 1980s, radio station WPFM (The Great 108) had studios at the top.
The Miracle Strip Amusement Park opened in March 1963 and ran for 40 years.
Too Bad They Didn't Leave It, Although Today It Would Be Dwarfed By the Huge Towers Hotels and Resorts. --Cooter
This 200-foot observation tower opened in 1966 and offered a panoramic view of the beach before closing in 1995. It stood directly on the sugar white sands of Panama City Beach and right across the road from the Miracle Strip Amusement Park.
Opened in April 1966 and was demolished December 8, 1995. Deterioration from the years of salt spray and Hurricane Opal proved its undoing.
The Beach Tower Motel was later built on its site (and still stands today, we went looking for it).
In the 1980s, radio station WPFM (The Great 108) had studios at the top.
The Miracle Strip Amusement Park opened in March 1963 and ran for 40 years.
Too Bad They Didn't Leave It, Although Today It Would Be Dwarfed By the Huge Towers Hotels and Resorts. --Cooter
What They Said About Old-Time Panama City Beach
From the January 11, 2013, Panama City.com
People writing in with their memories:
** This was back when you could ride down the "strip" aka Front Beach Road, and actually see the beach as opposed to now when all you see is the front of all the condos blocking the view.
** I miss seeing the tower, hated it when it had to be taken down.
** One cent all you can eat breakfast at the bottom of the tower!
** Remember a picture of me and my dad on top of the space needle. I was about five years old. Miss those days!
** I was thinking the exact same thing as the first person when I saw this picture. I Miss the old PCB.... PROGRESS, PFFT!!!!!!!!
** My first helicopter ride was at a landing pad right beside the tower in the early seventies!
That's What They Said. --DaCoot
People writing in with their memories:
** This was back when you could ride down the "strip" aka Front Beach Road, and actually see the beach as opposed to now when all you see is the front of all the condos blocking the view.
** I miss seeing the tower, hated it when it had to be taken down.
** One cent all you can eat breakfast at the bottom of the tower!
** Remember a picture of me and my dad on top of the space needle. I was about five years old. Miss those days!
** I was thinking the exact same thing as the first person when I saw this picture. I Miss the old PCB.... PROGRESS, PFFT!!!!!!!!
** My first helicopter ride was at a landing pad right beside the tower in the early seventies!
That's What They Said. --DaCoot
The Old-Time Panama City Beach, Florida-- Part 2
Continued from January 15, 2013.
Dozens of potential models were photographed and Melody may was told she had been chosen to be the one. That surprised her as she thought that many of the others were prettier than she was. They told she got it for "two reasons, your smile and your legs."
During the next few years she was photographed in many PCB spots like Jungle Land (which is the volcano portion of Alvin's Island Magic Mountain store), on top of the Miracle Strip Observation Tower (which once stood near the intersection of Front Beach Road and Alf Coleman Drive) and at various other Miracle Strip Amusement Park attractions.
A great shot of her was from behind as she peered at the Observation Tower.
Her mother was an expert seamstress and made all her costumes.
She liked animals which was fortunate as she posed with a bunny, an ocelot, a baby billy goat and even a 14-foot alligator named Coochie.
She was never paid much for the photos.
It Was Another PCB Era. --Cooter
Dozens of potential models were photographed and Melody may was told she had been chosen to be the one. That surprised her as she thought that many of the others were prettier than she was. They told she got it for "two reasons, your smile and your legs."
During the next few years she was photographed in many PCB spots like Jungle Land (which is the volcano portion of Alvin's Island Magic Mountain store), on top of the Miracle Strip Observation Tower (which once stood near the intersection of Front Beach Road and Alf Coleman Drive) and at various other Miracle Strip Amusement Park attractions.
A great shot of her was from behind as she peered at the Observation Tower.
Her mother was an expert seamstress and made all her costumes.
She liked animals which was fortunate as she posed with a bunny, an ocelot, a baby billy goat and even a 14-foot alligator named Coochie.
She was never paid much for the photos.
It Was Another PCB Era. --Cooter
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The Old-Time Panama City Beach-- Part 1
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
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
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Oyster Bash to Save SeaLab
From the January 12th Panama City 9Fl) News Herald "Saving Sealab" by Jessica McCarthy.
"A piece of local and marine history is decaying and in desperate need of rehabilitation.
The SeaLab 1 sea floor habitat changed he limits for divers and researchers, leading saturation diving, staying on the ocean floor for days or weeks at a time."
It is today located the Man in the Sea Museum on Back Beach Road (US-98). A two-year campaign to refurbish it kicks off Jan. 20th with a $25 all-you can eat Oyster Bash. It is estimated that $250,000 will be needed to return it to good condiion.
The lab is "corroding, rusting and wearing away. he access hole, through which divers entered and left the structure also allows birds, animals and even the homeless to set up temporary residence.
They're hoping to have he whole thing completed by 2014, the 50th anniversary of its creation.
"It was built in 1964 by a team of engineers under the direction of Dr. George Bnd and a team of divers., including Bob Barth who will speak at the Bash.
I've driven by the museum several times, but never stopped in. I didn't realize how important this relic was.
Perhaps This Time. --Cooter
"A piece of local and marine history is decaying and in desperate need of rehabilitation.
The SeaLab 1 sea floor habitat changed he limits for divers and researchers, leading saturation diving, staying on the ocean floor for days or weeks at a time."
It is today located the Man in the Sea Museum on Back Beach Road (US-98). A two-year campaign to refurbish it kicks off Jan. 20th with a $25 all-you can eat Oyster Bash. It is estimated that $250,000 will be needed to return it to good condiion.
The lab is "corroding, rusting and wearing away. he access hole, through which divers entered and left the structure also allows birds, animals and even the homeless to set up temporary residence.
They're hoping to have he whole thing completed by 2014, the 50th anniversary of its creation.
"It was built in 1964 by a team of engineers under the direction of Dr. George Bnd and a team of divers., including Bob Barth who will speak at the Bash.
I've driven by the museum several times, but never stopped in. I didn't realize how important this relic was.
Perhaps This Time. --Cooter
Friday, February 6, 2009
"Growing People"-- Panama City Beach's Origin
We've been along the Florida's panhandle since Saturday, looking for a break from all that global warming up by the Illinois-Wisconsin border. It's finally getting warm after two pretty cold days.
Came across a brochure for Pineapple Willy's, a popular hangout here, which had a short history of that place and PC Beach as they call it sometimes.
UGLY WHITE SAND GROWS PEOPLE
It said that in the early 1930s, there wasn't really much at the beach which was sometimes referred to as "ugly white sand." That is, until a Gideon Thomas decided he could do something with it. Instead of growing food, he was going to "grow people.
On May 2, 1936, he held the formal opening of Panama City Beach with an amusement park and whole Florida lobsters for 75 cents each. Since then, it is a bumper-to-bumper crop indeed. In 1953 the state recognized his effort by naming a major thoroughfare "Thomas Drive."
So, when you're in town, and get on Thomas Drive, that's how it became that name.
However, one sad thing is that the many small mom and pop motels and businesses are being replaced by gigantic condo buildings and corporate America's offerings.
PINEAPPLE WILLY's
In 1984, local businessman William Buskell, aka "Pineapple Willy" bought the Pier 99 Lounge and changed the name to Pineapple Willy's, and the rest is eating and partying history.
Came across a brochure for Pineapple Willy's, a popular hangout here, which had a short history of that place and PC Beach as they call it sometimes.
UGLY WHITE SAND GROWS PEOPLE
It said that in the early 1930s, there wasn't really much at the beach which was sometimes referred to as "ugly white sand." That is, until a Gideon Thomas decided he could do something with it. Instead of growing food, he was going to "grow people.
On May 2, 1936, he held the formal opening of Panama City Beach with an amusement park and whole Florida lobsters for 75 cents each. Since then, it is a bumper-to-bumper crop indeed. In 1953 the state recognized his effort by naming a major thoroughfare "Thomas Drive."
So, when you're in town, and get on Thomas Drive, that's how it became that name.
However, one sad thing is that the many small mom and pop motels and businesses are being replaced by gigantic condo buildings and corporate America's offerings.
PINEAPPLE WILLY's
In 1984, local businessman William Buskell, aka "Pineapple Willy" bought the Pier 99 Lounge and changed the name to Pineapple Willy's, and the rest is eating and partying history.
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