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

Lady Ethel Beauty College

c. 1947

— Historic Glenwood —

Lady Ethel Beauty College Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Lady Ethel Beauty College Marker

Inscription. Celebrated as Bay County's first African American, and independently owned, school of cosmetology, founded and established by Lady Ethel Spires in 1947. Students and clients traveled from surrounding counties to be trained and coiffed by the amazing hands of "Lady Ethel". Her sister, Janie, and daughters, Laura and Janie, were trailblazers as board certified teachers and cosmetologists with FL Dept. of Education and Board of Cosmetology. The "Beauty School," as it was affectionately know, operated as a classroom and gave lab instruction for students and clients. Its business plan generated black dollars and inspiration for many start-up black and independently owned shops and companies for the advancement of "colored" families. Lady Ethel and her husband, Henry Spires, hosed a place of refuge, safety and hope for many. The building also served as the House of Beauty, a rooming house, grocery store, and branch of People's Funeral Home (her family advisor & angel investors: Laura, Lemuel Grandberry and "The Chapel"). At its closing in 1994, "Lady Ethel's Beauty School" had served countless families from around the state.

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The "Beauty School" styled more than hair...it styled and molded a legacy of hope and "precious care!".

Lady Ethel Beauty College - 1308 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 • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.

Location. 30° 10.325′ N, 85° 39.007′ W. 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: 1308 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 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

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Lady Ethel Beauty College Marker

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: Lee’s Motel (within shouting distance of this marker); Reed’s Paint & Body (within shouting distance of this marker); Glenwood Grocery Store (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lewis Bail Bonding (about 600 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 . . . 6 new Glenwood historical markers commemorate black-owned businesses. (Submitted on March 29, 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 242 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on March 29, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.