Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Colonial Cooking

— Colonial Archaeological Trail —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

1. Colonial Cooking Marker

Inscription. Here, the Commanding Officer and his guests dined on exotic local fare using fine imported porcelain. The British built wood-burning brick ovens in an outdoor cooking area. Near these ovens, archaeologists found food remains including alligator and sea turtle. Beneath the ovens, archaeologists uncovered several wells and a wooden cold storage cellar.

Found in the Commanding Officer's Compound, this alligator skull was the remains of a fancy feast. It was recovered in a trash pit with broken wine and brandy bottles and bone dice. Currently on display at the T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum.

Artist rendering of British bake ovens. Image courtesy of the UWF Historic Trust.

Erected by University of West Florida Historic Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 30° 24.518′ N, 87° 12.757′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is on Zaragoza Street east of South Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling east. Located in Museum Plaza behind the Pensacola Museum of History. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pensacola FL 32502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker: First Spanish Period (here, next to this marker); Second Spanish Period (here, next to this marker); Wells and Cellars (here, next to this marker); American Period (here, next to this marker); British Period (here, next to this marker); Archaeology in Pensacola (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Commanding Officer's Compound (a few steps from this marker); Stop and Smell the Roses (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Commanding Officer's Compound (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); The End of the Colonial Era in Florida (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Colonial Cooking. The Colonial Archaeological Trail is a collection of outdoor exhibits relating the Spanish, British, and American occupations of Pensacola. This interpretive trail highlights the rich deposits of colonial history and archaeology in the heart of downtown Pensacola.

Additional commentary.
1. Marker notes former name of museum.
The T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum (which was also the Pensacola City Hall

Colonial Cooking Marker on left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

2. Colonial Cooking Marker on left.

at one time), had the name of the building changed to the Pensacola Museum of History at the University of West Florida. Documents provided by the Wentworth family reflected that T.T. Wentworth was a leader of the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

— Submitted October 10, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Excavation of cooking area next to marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

3. Excavation of cooking area next to marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 374 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.