Glenwood Community in Panama City in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Lee’s Motel

c. 1967

— Historic Glenwood —

Lee’s Motel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Lee’s Motel Marker

Inscription. Joseph Earl Lee, a WWII Navy veteran who served as a builder, enjoyed working with his hands. The creation and building of Lee's Motel provided a much needed respite for the people of color traveling from Alabama, Florida and Georgia to Panama City Beach. Lee's Motel opened July 1, 1967 with seven rooms and expanded to nineteen rooms and remained in operation for over forty years.

This hotel was frequented by locals, visitors such as celebrities like James Brown during the Chitlin' Circuit. Lee's hotel was a safe haven for people of color and a direct connection to the many entertainment establishments along Cove Blvd.

In September 2016, the Panama City CRA approved the purchase of Lee's Motel, located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard former Cove Boulevard.
Lee's Motel - 1342 MLK Blvd.

Erected 2024 by Panama City Quality of Life Program and Destination Panama City.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1967.

Location. 30° 10.338′ N, 85° 39.006′ W.

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Marker is in Panama City, Florida, in Bay County. It is in Glenwood Community. It is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and East 13th Court, on the right when traveling north on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The marker is included in the Glenwood Historic Markers Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1354 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Panama City FL 32401, 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: Lady Ethel Beauty College (within shouting distance of this marker); Reed’s Paint & Body (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Lee’s Motel Marker

marker); Glenwood Grocery Store (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lewis Bail Bonding (about 700 feet away); Grady’s One Stop Drive In (approx. 0.2 miles away); Anderson’s Standard Service Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle Memorial Funeral Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln Theater/KofP Hall (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Panama City.

Also see . . .
1. Panama City CRA purchases Lee’s Motel to demolish it. (Submitted on March 28, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. 6 new Glenwood historical markers commemorate black-owned businesses. (Submitted on March 28, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 297 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 28, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.