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St. Andrews Historic District Celebrates 100 Years
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 07:13 PM
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Save This PagePanama City, FL-- A well-known community is celebrating 100 years of incorporation as part of Bay County. Residents and vendors flocked to the Oaks by the Bay Park in the St. Andrew's Historic District to remember the history.
While many books have been published about the section of Bay County, one can get the most interesting glimpse into its past by talking to some who grew up there.
"I grew up on these streets right here and seeing it be this old with this many people interested in coming down here it's just marvelous," said Bob Forrest, as he sold his pen and ink artwork at the event.
"Pictures of Panama City and St. Andrews the way they used to be," he said. The pictures printed on event t-shirts exemplified their accuracy.
"The martin theatre the way it looked back in 1963," said Forrest, pointing to one drawing, " Girls Girls Girls... the first movie me and my brother were allowed to see by ourselves."
He's lived in the community his whole life like many with lots of stories to tell, and he's seen all the changes.
"Things are not like they used to be but you learn to live with it," said Forrest.
It's a community that's seen a lot go over the years, dating back to Native Americans who lived there.
"St Andrews is the oldest part of Bay County," said event organizer Nancy Wengel.
But, it's slowly taking its history back.
"Residents and businesses put a lot into this area and revitalizing this area," she said.
Several buildings like the St. Andrews Church and the Community Bank have already undergone restoration. The most current is a $350 thousand project to have the Panama City Publishing Building historically preserved. That's set to finish in June.
Though some may not remember the old buildings, they still enjoyed the celebration.
"It's fun and there's a lot of things to do," said elementary student Mia Salaveria.
Community members are continuing to revitalize the downtown area, and the spirit of St. Andrews.
"They've not sat around and waited for somebody else to hand it to them or for somebody else to do it," said Wengel, "They have put a lot of sweat equity into it and a lot of their time."