Panama City in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
McKenzie Park
Photographed By Brandon D Cross
1. McKenzie Park Marker
Inscription.
McKenzie Park. . In 1887, this block was set aside by the original Downtown developers, George W Jenks, and C. J. Demorest. Streets were laid out around the park, and it is evident from the plat of May 23, 1888, that it was the focal point of the small community. The very name of the original development was "Park Resort." In 1907, a perimeter fence was erected, and a bandstand stood in the center of what was then called "Magnolia Park." A historical cannon was at the entrance and a tennis court was added in 1913. The park was the place for annual celebrations of the Pioneer Picnic and Independence Day. Perhaps the largest attended and most famous gathering was Natal Day on July 1, 1913, which marked the creation of Bay County. Speeches, barbeques, bands, and fish fries were the usual order of the day. On December 4, 1964, the park was renamed "McKenzie Park" in honor of the city's first mayor, Robert Lee McKenzie. Revitalization of the beautiful park took place in 1986 under the direction of the Downtown Improvement Board, Panama City Main Street Project, the City of Panama City, and a citizen group organized for that purpose. The park remains the heart downtown Panama City.
In 1887, this block was set aside by the original Downtown developers, George W Jenks, and C. J. Demorest. Streets were laid out around the park, and it is evident from the plat of May 23, 1888, that it was the focal point of the small community. The very name of the original development was "Park Resort." In 1907, a perimeter fence was erected, and a bandstand stood in the center of what was then called "Magnolia Park." A historical cannon was at the entrance and a tennis court was added in 1913. The park was the place for annual celebrations of the Pioneer Picnic and Independence Day. Perhaps the largest attended and most famous gathering was Natal Day on July 1, 1913, which marked the creation of Bay County. Speeches, barbeques, bands, and fish fries were the usual order of the day. On December 4, 1964, the park was renamed "McKenzie Park" in honor of the city's first mayor, Robert Lee McKenzie. Revitalization of the beautiful park took place in 1986 under the direction of the Downtown Improvement Board, Panama City Main Street Project, the City of Panama City, and a citizen group organized for that purpose. The park remains the heart downtown Panama City.
Erected 2023 by Quality of Life, City of Panama City, The Historical Society of Bay County and the Florida Department of State. (Marker
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Number F-1225.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 30° 9.242′ N, 85° 39.657′ W. Marker is in Panama City, Florida, in Bay County. Marker is at the intersection of Oak Avenue and Park Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Oak Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 Harrison Avenue, Panama City FL 32401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 45 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
