Palafox Street is no stranger to change.
Under the City of Five Flags, it’s history goes all the way back to the 1700s when the British gave it the name “George Street” to honor King George III. The name that stuck was derived from General José Rebolledo de Palafox y Melci, a Spanish nobleman and military hero, when the Spanish named the already busy street in 1812 as Calle de Palafox.
Along with the name changes, came necessary upgrades.
The “Great Halloween Night Fire,” tore through Palafox Street in 1905 and an entire block was destroyed. It was the largest, most costly blaze in the commercial district’s history.
In 1999, a significant stormwater upgrade was completed, prompting a comprehensive reconstruction of the street.
This year’s $10.7 million New Palafox project will transform the street with expanded sidewalks, new landscaping and trees, brick-paved intersections, pedestrian safety features and an upgraded stormwater system.
Take a look at how the street has transformed through this historical photo gallery.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: See how Palafox has changed through the years, starting in the 1800s
Reporting by Tony Giberson, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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