PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA

Did you know that we almost lost our Panhandle area with all it's beaches, sand dunes, and forests?  It was way back in the year 1869 that representatives of Alabama and Florida signed a cession agreement that would have given Alabama all the land west of the Apalachicola River westward.  In return Alabama would pay $1,000,000 in eight percent bonds, payable in 30 years.  People surveyed voted in favor of this "give-away". Alabama wanted a wider border on the gulf.  At least seven times from 1811 all the way through 1901, Alabama petitoned for western Florida.  Even in the 1960's their legislature talked about buying the area west of the eastern shore of Pensacola Bay, which includes Pensacola itself.  Florida said no.

Back in the previously noted 1869, three Alabama commissioners came to Florida to propose cession.  Keep in mind, that during those years our state was developed as almost two separate territories.  St. Augustine was the eastern part, and Pensacola was the western portion.  The Florida legislature had the governor appoint a committee to discuss the idea.  On May 19, 1869 a cession agreement was signed, and an election arranged.   Before election day, Governor Harrison Reed changed his mind, and opposed the project.  The Florida legislature took no action, and the issue died.  All those years ago, we almost auctioned off part of our beautiful north Florida, and the highest bid was almost accepted.