Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Brownsville Community
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, November 14, 2017
1. Brownsville Community Marker
Inscription.
Brownsville Community. . In 1908, shortly after the extension of the trolley line west from Pensacola, Lucius Screven Brown (1874-1963) developed housing on seven blocks bounded by what is now Pace Boulevard, Strong Street, “W” Street and Gadsden Street. Brown’s builder, Haakon Paulsen, began calling the community Brownsville as it evolved into one of Pensacola’s first “suburbs.” Brown (1874-1963) had a long career in real estate, banking and insurance. He served the city on the City Council and as assistant postmaster. A bond issue held in Escambia County in 1912 resulted in the paving of Cervantes Street and Mobile Highway, and the extension of public water lines. This in turn intensified the residential building boom in Brownsville. The biggest concentration of houses from this period is to be found on Gadsden Street. Some commercial buildings in this nationally recognized area date back to the early 20th century because this was the road from Pensacola to Mobile. However, most of the commercial construction occurred just after World War II when automobile usage increased.
In 1908, shortly after the extension of the trolley line west from Pensacola, Lucius Screven Brown (1874-1963) developed housing on seven blocks bounded by what is now Pace Boulevard, Strong Street, “W” Street and Gadsden Street. Brown’s builder, Haakon Paulsen, began calling the community Brownsville as it evolved into one of Pensacola’s first “suburbs.” Brown (1874-1963) had a long career in real estate, banking and insurance. He served the city on the City Council and as assistant postmaster. A bond issue held in Escambia County in 1912 resulted in the paving of Cervantes Street and Mobile Highway, and the extension of public water lines. This in turn intensified the residential building boom in Brownsville. The biggest concentration of houses from this period is to be found on Gadsden Street. Some commercial buildings in this nationally recognized area date back to the early 20th century because this was the road from Pensacola to Mobile. However, most of the commercial construction occurred just after World War II when automobile usage increased.
Erected 2001 by The Brownsville Revitalization Committee and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-428.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location.
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30° 25.262′ N, 87° 14.824′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. Marker is at the intersection of West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) and North T Street, on the right when traveling west on West Cervantes Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pensacola FL 32505, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Brownsville Community Marker looking west on US 90
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 482 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
