Tivoli High House
The Tivoli High House represents a rich part of Pensacola's history. The original structure, located on Calle de Tivoli, now called Zaragoza Street, dates to 1805, built there as a tavern and gaming house during the Second Spanish Period. The current house, reconstructed for the American Bicentennial celebration in 1976 from early photographs and archaeological excavations, serves as a gift shop and tour center for Historic Pensacola Village.
Called a High House because it was built on high brick piers to prevent flooding, the Tivioli derived its name from Tivoli Park in New Orleans. Designed in the European style with an upper gallery suspended over the sidewalk, the Pensacola version, like its Louisiana counterpart, reflects the early ballrooms and theatres of the Crescent City.
Pensacola's only place of entertainment in the early 1800s, the Tivoli offered billiards, drinking, gambling, and socializing. Adjacent to the High House was a circular ballroom, later named the Jackson Commonwealth Theatre in honor of Andrew Jackson who, with his wife Rachel, attended a play there in 1821.
Francisco Moreno bought the complex two decades later and demolished the ballroom-turned-theatre. The High House itself was razed in the 1930's.
Today, the reconstructed Tivoli House visually portrays social life in Pensacola during the early 19th century, while romantically symbolizing the last Spanish occupation of the city.
This podcast made possible through the generous support of the UWF Historic Trust. Script written by Violet Skylar. Narrated by Alesia Ross.
