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

British Governor's House?

— Colonial Archaeological Trail —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

1. British Governor's House? Marker

Inscription. British Governor Peter Chester commissioned a three-story mansion on this site to avoid using the rundown Spanish governor's house. Governor Chester was never satisfied with the design and overspent his budget many times. The result? He lived in a villa on the bay east of town and the mansion was used for military barracks, offices, and a hospital during the American Revolution. The structure lasted into the Second Spanish period, burning in 1814. Archaeologists uncovered the original brick foundation, laid in the British bond design, visible in this exhibit.

Background image: A Proposed Plan of a new House and Offices for Governor of West Florida. Image courtesy of the UWF Archaeology Institute.

British Governor of West Florida, Peter Chester. Image courtesy of University Archives and West Florida History Center, UWF Libraries, Pensacola.

Erected by University of West Florida Historic Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.

Location. 30° 24.537′ N, 87° 12.642′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is on Zaragoza Street west of South Adams Street, on

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the right when traveling west. Next to the Lear/Rocheblave House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 214 Zaragoza St, 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 walking distance of this marker: Old Christ Church (a few steps from this marker); British Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Garrison's Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); Christ Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Tivoli High House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Christ Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Defending a Coastal Colony (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Wesley Hardin (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.

Regarding British Governor's House?. 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.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

2. British Governor's House? Marker

Lear/Rocheblave House built on the site of the British Governor's House. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 9, 2021

3. Lear/Rocheblave House built on the site of the British Governor's House.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 655 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.