Southeast Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Living in Eastside
| | General Daniel Chappie James Museum of Pensacola | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2025
1. Living in Eastside Marker
Mom and Pop Stores
Some local businesses included Carrie's Coffee Shop, The Seminole Hotel, and The Crystal Ice Company. The H&O Cafι, one of the first black-owned restaurants in the city, was a neighborhood staple where many gathered for good food and socializing.
Living in Eastside
Pensacola's neighborhoods are typically named after geography. This area is known as Eastside, bordered by the East Hill and Long Hollow neighborhoods. A close-knit and vibrant community, it is predominately African American. Residents who grew up here remember it fondly, noting that neighbors not only all knew each other, but many were related. Generations of families were raised here, including the James family. In the 1950s and 1960s, these streets were filled with dozens of stores, businesses, and community spaces.
Today, this area is considered one of the 'lost neighborhoods' of Pensacola. The construction of the I-110 interstate in the 1970s caused a sharp rift separating neighbors and bringing about the loss of many local businesses. Recently the City of Pensacola announced plans to revitalize the area with the reintroduction of green
this page online
[captions]
The James family lived at 1606 N. Alcaniz. In this close-knit community, neighbors became family.
H&O Cafι, 2024 (background image)
Erected 2024 by Chappie James Museum of Pensacola.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce.
Location. 30° 25.808′ N, 87° 12.807′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. It is in Southeast Pensacola. It is on Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive (Florida Route 291) just north of East Moreno Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is in General Daniel Chappie James, Jr. Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1606 Doctor M.L.K Jr Drive, Pensacola FL 32503, 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,
UWF Historic Trust Collection
2. Marker detail: The Crystal Ice House
Now a National Register of Historic Places site.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History in Place (here, next to this marker); General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Memorial Park (here, next to this marker); Thou Shalt Not Quit (a few steps from this marker); Early Military Career (a few steps from this marker); Reach for the Stars (a few steps from this marker); Growing Up (a few steps from this marker); General Daniel James, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); E.S. Cobb Center (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. General Daniel Chappie James, Jr. Memorial Park
Also see . . .
1. Eastside (Encyclopedia of Pensacola).
Excerpt: Eastside is a residential neighborhood in Pensacola between the Long Hollow and East Hill neighborhoods.(Submitted on April 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)It is centered roughly around the Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Davis Street corridor. Eastside is contained within the East King Tract, one of several land grants awarded to prominent citizens during Spanish rule. When Jim Crow laws were abolished in the 1940s, Eastside was settled by large numbers of African-Americans who were previously restricted to Pensacola's west side. It is the birthplace of Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr., the first African-American to become a four-star general in the United States armed forces.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 20253. Living in Eastside MarkerLooking south through General Daniel Chappie James, Jr. Memorial Park.
2. About Chappie (Chappie James Museum of Pensacola).
Excerpt: Daniel James Jr. was born on February 11, 1920, in Pensacola, Florida. He graduated from high school in 1937 and went on to college at the Tuskegee Institute. During World War II, he served primarily as an instructor, teaching other African Americans in the 99th Pursuit Squadron. It was during the Korean War that James began flying combat missions more than 100 in all. For these achievements, he received the Distinguished Service Medal. James also served in(Submitted on April 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)the Vietnam War and flew more than 75 missions during that conflict. Over the course of his career, James was promoted several times, finally becoming a four-star general in 1975. A trailblazer with a career that spanned three wars, Daniel James Jr. stands as an example of military grace and professionalism. During his lifetime, he received many military and social honors, including the George Washington Freedom Foundation Medal in 1967 and in 1968.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 20254. General Daniel Chappie James, Jr. Memorial ParkLooking east through the memorial park on the south side of the Chappie James Museum of Pensacola. This marker is the first of three interpretive panels on the right/south side of the park.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 25, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
