Our History

 

The history of Pensacola's Westside Garden District is rooted in a 1764 British city plan by Elias Durnford, which designated larger garden lots north of the main street (now Garden Street) to accompany town lots, fostering a garden-centric community. This area, distinct from the East Garden District, developed into a neighborhood of Gulf Coast Creole Cottages and other historic vernacular homes, particularly between 1810 and 1900. It remained a distinctive residential area, though it faced challenges from modern growth and development, with some historic homes like the Julee Panton House moved to the Historic Pensacola Village while others were demolished, preserving the area's nostalgic and historic character. 
 
 

 

 

The neighborhood boundaries are West Cervantes Street, North A Street, West Garden Street and North Pace Boulevard. 

Origin and British Planning

 

  • Elias Durnford's Vision:
    In 1764, British planners, including Elias Durnford, designed a city where each town lot south of Garden Street was paired with a larger, companion garden lot to the north. 
     
  • Purpose of Garden Lots:
    These garden lots were meant for cultivation and food production, serving as an agrarian extension of the town's main settlement. The thoroughfare that developed along these garden lots was named Garden Street, with the area to the north becoming known as the West Garden District. 

Ella L. Jordan Home

Mrs. Jordan dedicated her life to the Club’s works and community activities. Initially the group met in member’s homes or local schools and churches until the property at 423 North “C” Street was purchased in 1951. Mrs. Jordan and her contemporaries were following the trend of starting women's clubs that, by the 1920's, had been growing for decades. The women of Pensacola also embraced this trend, organizing numerous clubs and associations. 

 

For African-American women in segregated Pensacola, clubs provided a way to identify and meet the needs of their community. Funding for enrichment programs, extra tutoring, and vocational training, never abundant for white citizens, was non-existent for African Americans. As the Great Depression deepened and World War II exerted greater stress on the African American community, the ladies of the Pensacola Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs expanded their services. Food banks, medical help, and hosting African American servicemen were added in the 1930’s and maintained through the 1960’s. In the years after Mrs. Jordan passed away, the house remained a cultural, social and political haven and was named in her honor in 1959.

 

From the website: Ella Jordan Home

Theophalis May Center

Theophalis May (1927–2006) was a self-taught architect, builder, and longtime pastor in Pensacola known for his craftsmanship, faith, and deep commitment to community.

Orphaned at a young age, May moved to Pensacola, served in the U.S. Navy, and later studied philosophy and religion at Florida A&M University. In 1950, he began a construction career that would earn him recognition for relocating and restoring historic buildings—often without formal plans—while also pastoring Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for nearly four decades.

Beyond preservation work, May focused on improving underserved neighborhoods, using construction as a tool for revitalization and mentorship. He was known for giving young men opportunities to work and for instilling a strong sense of responsibility and community impact. Son Lumon May said, "Dad always said when we were growing up, If you can't change your neighborhood, then you can't change the world. I believe that. You have to start block by block."

Honored with the Florida Folk Heritage Award in 1991 and recognized for his dedication to affordable housing, May left a legacy of craftsmanship, service, and neighborhood pride that continues through his family and community. 

St John's Cemetery

With 20,000 souls interned on its 26-acre grounds, many notable and notorious citizens rest within its hallowed ground. That's a lot of history. In fact, St. John Cemetery houses the largest and most diverse number of gravestones and monuments in all of Northwest Florida.

Founded nearly 150 years ago by a local Masonic Order, St. John's is one of Pensacola's oldest and most historic cemeteries that is still in use today. Originally established on the edge of town, St. John's served as Pensacola's primary burial site for more than 100 years.

Since its first internment in August 1876, St. John's Cemetery has been open to all citizens - there has never been any restriction concerning race, faith, creed or color within its grounds. It should be noted, that was a unique decision on the part of the Masonic Lodge members for that era.

Today, the cemetery's rich diversity is precisely what makes it so unique. Whether you are walking amongst ancestors or strangers, the sheer magnitude and variety of grave markers present in St. John's is truly fascinating.

Modern Identity and Preservation

  • Early Homes:
    • From 1810 to 1900, the neighborhood saw the construction of various significant home styles, including Gulf Coast Cottages and shotgun vernacular houses.
     
    • Coexistence of Old and New:
    • The West Garden District continues to be a unique part of Pensacola, blending historic architecture with modern growth.
     
    • Preserving Nostalgia:
      The neighborhood holds a special place in the hearts of residents who cherish the remaining buildings, recognizing the importance of preserving the area's singular character and identity.