Panama City in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Capt. Otway Ware House
c. 1910
| | Historic St. Andrews Est. 1827 | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2025
1. Capt. Otway Ware House Marker
Capt. Lambert Ware Sr. opened Ware Mercantile in the late 1880's, adjacent to today's St. Andrew Marina. He owned large tracts of land in what is known by the locals as Waretown. He gave his sons, Capt. Lambert Bert Ware Jr. and Capt. Otway Ware, numerous tracts of land including this lot. Otway and his wife Mary Ellen Whitford Ware built this house in 1910 and raised five children. Otway worked in the mercantile at an early age, became a Bar Pilot (guiding ships in and out of St. Andrews Bay) at age 24, and was appointed Harbor Master by Governor Doyle Carlton in 1931 and served until his retirement 37 years later. The house remains close to its original state and is a fine example of early Waretown homes.
Erected by Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership-Panama City.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 30° 10′ N, 85° 41.801′ W. Marker is in Panama City, Florida, in Bay County. It is on West 9th Street (Business U.S. 90) just west of Foster Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located directly in front of the subject property.
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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: The Haight & Zediker House (a few steps from this marker); The Gwaltney Homeplace (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hutchison House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Vietnam Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Buena Vista Point Archaeological Site (approx. Ό mile away); Historic St. Andrew Church (approx. Ό mile away); Lion Fountain (approx. Ό mile away); The Old Sentry (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Panama City.
Also see . . . Historic St. Andrews Waterfront.
Excerpt: Lambert Ware visited the area in 1877 and then returned in 1879. His brother Francis joined him in 1882, and they operated Ware Mercantile and Wares Wharf on the present Harbour Village and St. Andrews Marina sites.(Submitted on October 15, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 18, 2025
2. Captain Otway Ware House (south/front elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
