Panama City Beach in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bid-A-Wee Beach Park
Photographed By Brandon D Cross
1. Bid-A-Wee Beach Park Marker
Inscription.
Bid-A-Wee Beach Park. . On February 22, 1926, world war one Veteran Harry C. Cailey of St. Andrews filed claim under the Homestead Act for 140.52 acres on this Gulf of Mexico location. His patent deed, signed by President Calvin Coolidge, required he maintain residency for six-months. On September 5, 1928, he paid $1.25 per acre and received a warranty deed. One year later he sold the property to Dr. Grover C., and Eula C. Miller of Chipley, Florida. Eula named the beach Bid-A- Wee, Scottish for "bide your time a short while,” to honor her mother's heritage. In January 1936, she filed a plat for a portion of the beach for the development of Bid-A-Wee community and Bid-A-Wee Beach Park (BAWBP). In February 1938, she dedicated the 2,500-foot beach to the property owners of the community, with a highly restrictive covenant governing the land use "for park purposes only." Eula Miller died on June 15, 1985. Since then, the BAWBP organization has successfully prevented attempts to commercialize the beach. BAWBP is the only remaining undeveloped private beach in Panama City Beach, Florida. In January 2006, BAWBP, acquired the titles to this historic beach property with an intent to preserve its natural beauty.
On February 22, 1926, WWI Veteran Harry C. Cailey of St. Andrews filed claim under the Homestead Act for 140.52 acres on this Gulf of Mexico location. His patent deed, signed by President Calvin Coolidge, required he maintain residency for six-months. On September 5, 1928, he paid $1.25 per acre and received a warranty deed. One year later he sold the property to Dr. Grover C., and Eula C. Miller of Chipley, Florida. Eula named the beach Bid-A- Wee, Scottish for "bide your time a short while,” to honor her mother's heritage. In January 1936, she filed a plat for a portion of the beach for the development of Bid-A-Wee community and Bid-A-Wee Beach Park (BAWBP). In February 1938, she dedicated the 2,500-foot beach to the property owners of the community, with a highly restrictive covenant governing the land use "for park purposes only." Eula Miller died on June 15, 1985. Since then, the BAWBP organization has successfully prevented attempts to commercialize the beach. BAWBP is the only remaining undeveloped private beach in Panama City Beach, Florida. In January 2006, BAWBP, acquired the titles to this historic beach property with an intent to preserve its natural beauty.
Erected 2024 by Bid-A-Wee Beach Park, Inc. and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1231.)
Location. 30° 12.092′ N, 85° 51.031′ W. Marker is in Panama City Beach, Florida, in Bay County. Marker is at the intersection of Front Beach Road (Florida Route 30) and Argonaut Street, on the right when traveling east on Front Beach Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Panama City Beach FL 32407, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
