Over the last 120 years or so, the sturdy cast iron front of 511 South Palafox Street has withstood many storms and many tenants. This portion of Palafox, was once a pier extending into the Pensacola Bay. During Pensacola’s lumber boom, in the late 1800s, this was Palafox wharf, lined with businesses catering to the ships and their crew. The land you stand upon today, south of Main Street, was created over many years when crew members offloaded stone ballast from their ships before on loading cargo. In the early 20^th century, this building housed a restaurant, a clothing store, a barber, and a cigar factory. Later, aviators, sailors, and military of all stripes began to enjoy libations here when it was Trader Jon’s, a world renowned bar.  

Trader Jon, the proprietor, traded drinks for artifacts when patrons ran out of money. Model airplanes, uniforms, pictures, letters, flags, and signs covered every square inch of the interior. The exterior is a classic cast iron post and lintel building with large street level windows. The manufacturer’s mark is missing but the markings on the building are very similar to the cast iron buildings on the north side of West Government Street. Iron foundries published catalogs of their patterns and competitors frequently borrowed from each other. Not all of the iron foundries were from out of state. Cosgrove Iron Foundry was located right across the street from this building. 

Credits and Sources:

Researched and Written by Cynthia Catellier