Developing the Port of Pensacola

When the Spanish arrived in Pensacola Bay in 1559 and again in 1698, they praised the area’s natural resources: the deep-water bay provided a safe harbor for large ships, rivers supplied fresh water, large forests offered a reliable source of ...

Spanish Exploration and Discovery

Early Spanish explorers quickly recognized the importance of Pensacola and its waterways. Remnants of conquistador Pánfilo de Narváez’s expedition sighted Pensacola Bay as early as 1528. In 1539 and Discovery and 1540, Francisco de Maldonado waited in the Bay to ...

Maritime Prehistory

Archaeology has helped us learn a lot about life in prehistoric Pensacola. Although little archaeological evidence exists from Pensacola’s earliest Paleoindian residents, sites from later periods reveal a strong reliance on the marine landscape. Local salt and fresh waterways provided ...

The Cornwallis Cave

The Cornwallis Cave.

Cornwallis “cave,” a cavern created by stone quarrying for building material, was once believed to be the “grotto” into which British General Cornwallis retreated to avoid bombardment during the Revolutionary War battle. Subsequent research suggested this is ...

Site of Secretary Nelson's House/Cornwallis's HQ

Site of Secretary Nelson's House/Cornwallis HQ 

This is not to be confused with Thomas Nelson Jr’s home on Main Street.  Here Cornwallis had his headquarters when the siege opened. He remained until allied artillery forced him out. Secretary Thomas Nelson ...

Archer Cottage

The Archer Cottage

The Archer cottage was built circa 1820 on the foundations of an 18th-century building that burned in 1814. Located at the junction of Water Street and Great Valley, the interior and exterior of the cottage was extensively ...

The Swan Tavern

The Swan Tavern

The Swan Tavern is a reconstruction that stands on the original foundations.   One of the characteristics of colonial Yorktown was the large number of its inns and taverns. The Swan Tavern soon became the main tavern in ...

Grace Church

Grace Church

 This church, in York-Hampton Parish, is the oldest in Yorktown. It has been active since its construction about 1697.  Much of the church was destroyed in the great fire of 1814.  The present structure incorporated much of the ...

The Somerwell House

The Somerwell House

This restored brick home is believed to have been built by Mungo Somerwell, a Yorktown ferryman, in the early 1700’s.    

It is possible that the dwelling was struck during the bombardment of the town  that came with ...

The Poor Potter

The Poor Potter

Many of Yorktown's citizens were active in events leading to American independence. One such was a virtually unknown resident that helped to break Great Britain's economic hold over the colonies. Called today the "poor potter" of Yorktown, ...