Parker in Bay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Site of Loftin's Ferry
Photographed By Paul F, April 27, 2011
1. Site of Loftin's Ferry Marker
East side of two-sided marker.
Inscription.
Site of Loftin's Ferry. . Loftin’s Ferry, on Pitts Avenue, which later became Parker, was an important part of the major land route called the “Military Road” that ran from Apalachicola through St. Joseph to Marianna and beyond. This road, constructed from 1836 to 1838 under Major J.D. Graham, was the only land link to the City of St. Joseph, bringing travelers, mail and commerce from the north. In 1838, dignitaries attending Florida’s first constitutional convention traveled by stage on this road. The site, originally known as Reviere’s Bluff, was named after early settler Henry L. Reviere (1785-1845). By 1835 it became a ferry crossing and accommodation stop operated by William M. Loftin (1785-1838). Loftin had been sheriff and tax collector of Jackson County (1823) and in 1836 became a surveyor and revenue inspector for the Port of St. Andrews. About this time, Loftin, Reviere and Joseph M. White (d. 1839), Florida's first territorial delegate to Congress (1825-1837), developed and named this community “Austerlitz” after the French village where Reviere’s family lived. The name “Parker” was adopted in 1886 to honor the two separate families of Peter Ferdinand Parker (1817-1892) and William Henry Parker (1857-1937).
Loftin’s Ferry, on Pitts Avenue, which later became Parker, was an important part of the major land route called the “Military Road” that ran from Apalachicola through St. Joseph to Marianna and beyond. This road, constructed from 1836 to 1838 under Major J.D. Graham, was the only land link to the City of St. Joseph, bringing travelers, mail and commerce from the north. In 1838, dignitaries attending Florida’s first constitutional convention traveled by stage on this road. The site, originally known as Reviere’s Bluff, was named after early settler Henry L. Reviere (1785-1845). By 1835 it became a ferry crossing and accommodation stop operated by William M. Loftin (1785-1838). Loftin had been sheriff and tax collector of Jackson County (1823) and in 1836 became a surveyor and revenue inspector for the Port of St. Andrews. About this time, Loftin, Reviere and Joseph M. White (d. 1839), Florida's first territorial delegate to Congress (1825-1837), developed and named this community “Austerlitz” after the French village where Reviere’s family lived. The name “Parker” was adopted in 1886 to honor the two separate families of Peter Ferdinand Parker (1817-1892) and William Henry Parker (1857-1937).
Erected 2001 by City of Parker and the Florida Department of State
Location. 30° 7.692′ N, 85° 36.648′ W. Marker is in Parker, Florida, in Bay County. Marker is on Pitts Avenue, 0.1 miles south of Aster Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the bend in the road where Pitts Avenue turns east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Panama City FL 32404, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,787 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 2, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
