The success of the American Revolution spurred population growth and movement in the early 19th century. While many Americans moved west to claim new land, some looked south to Spanish West Florida. The flood of new settlers and increased pressure from the American government eventually persuaded Spain to transfer its colony to the United States in 1821.

As one of the most valuable port cities in the new territory of Florida, Pensacola thrived. Entrepreneurs established sawmill and brickmaking operations inland, utilizing the area’s many rivers and waterways to move goods to the port   of Pensacola. Ships carried northwest Florida products around the world, returning with exotic goods and more people. Shortly after Florida became a state in 1845, the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 put many of these early achievements on hold.