County, City Designated as the Only American World War II Heritage City in Florida

The National Park Service has designated the City of Pensacola and Escambia County as an American World War II Heritage City, honoring the greater Pensacola area's contributions and critical role in shaping the U.S. home front during World War II.

Only one city from each state or territory can be designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as an American World War II Heritage City, making the City of Pensacola and Escambia County the sole designee for the State of Florida. 

"This designation is a testament to Pensacola's rich history, and it will open the door for new opportunities to promote our history on a statewide and national level," Mayor D.C. Reeves said. "I look forward to continuing to share our stories as America's First City, while also looking toward the exciting things to come for Pensacola’s future. Thank you to the staff from the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, and all of our partners who worked hard to achieve this monumental accomplishment for our community." 

“This is a significant event for Escambia County and the City of Pensacola,” said Escambia County District 3 Commissioner and Chairman Lumon May. “It honors the rich history of our area and pays tribute to the men and women who served this great nation in World War II. God bless them and God bless America. I look forward to continuing our work with the City of Pensacola and community partners to share our story throughout the state and nation.”

The application for the American World War II Heritage City was a joint effort by the City of Pensacola and Escambia County, with support from local elected officials, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Gulf Islands National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service), University of West Florida Historic Trust, Florida Department of State Division of Historical Resources and veteran-related groups. 

The American World War II Heritage Cities Program honors the contributions of local towns, cities, counties and commemorates the stories of the men, women, and children whose bravery and sacrifices shaped the U.S. home front during World War II, and still impact our country today. Only one American World War II Heritage City can be designated in each state or territory.  The City of Pensacola and greater Escambia County area played a critical role in this history, contributing to the recognition as an American World War II Heritage City through the program.  

Pensacola and Escambia County are now featured on the National Park Service website as an American World War II Heritage City, highlighting the area's military history during World War II. Historical highlights for Pensacola and Escambia include the most dramatic example of increased military presence in Florida during World War II, along with the largest number of Army Air Fields and Naval Air Stations in the state.

To learn more about Pensacola and Escambia County's contributions during World War II, click here.

Black and white photograph of Pensacola Naval Air Station in 1914. Left: First aviator class at the Naval Air Station – Pensacola, Florida, Image Number MSC6175. Courtesy of Florida Memory, State Library and Archives of Florida.

Booklet showing “Pensacola and Environs” identifying NAS Pensacola, its auxiliary fields, and the City of Pensacola. 1944 “Guide to Pensacola, Florida, “The Annapolis of the Air”, Catalog Number 917.5999 G946. Credit: Florida Memory, State Library and Archives of Florida.

Black and white photograph of Naval Air Station. Left: 1920s-1930s “Aerial View Pensacola Naval Air Station”, Catalog Number H.09.1975.145.0074.1-2. Courtesy of the UWF Historic Trust.

Postcard of Fort Barrancas. No date “Target Practice at Fort Barrancas”, Catalog Number H.09.2008.024.0006. Courtesy of the UWF Historic Trust.