Archival Collections

Research records of Lucius F. and Linda Ellsworth pertaining to the development and publication of Pensacola, the Deep Water City (1986) including manuscript drafts, photograph and illustration files, correspondence, publicity about the book, and subject files pertaining to Pensacola, and many photographs and research items not used in the final book. Files include a newspaper index to Pensacola newspapers (1937) by Modeste Hargis.

Photocopy typescript of "Pensacola Newspaper Research" abstracted and prepared by Pensacolian, Modeste Hargis for the Federal Writer's Project in Florida in 1934. This 320-page document is a compilation of items from Pensacola newspapers, 1838-1934, which the compiler felt of historic or intrinsic interest. A name and subject index is available.

Microfilm of the fonds des colonies serie C13A, Volumes 1-53, covering French occupation of North America, 1694-1819. Filmed as part of the Louisiana Colonial Records Project in 1980, the C13A series covers reports, letters, maps, and other materials on the French settlement and colonization of Louisiana, West Florida, Pensacola, the upper Mississippi River Valley, the Illinois Territory, Canada and other areas of North America. The size of this research archives is beyond the scope of this Guide to describe, but there is considerable data on settlements, Indians, transportation, forts, shipwrecks, battles and war, Jesuit activity, troop movements, and more. Most materials are in French language.

A.L.S., Pensacola, Florida, June 3, 1772, to Loard Barrington; states Gamble has heard from General Gage concerning Gamble's appointment to rank of Captain, and thanks Barrington for his support in securing the appointment.

Personal papers, consisting of manuscript letters of the Clifford family in Pensacola (1846-1863), photographs, and photocopies of genealogical research (1946-1978) on the Clifford and Fell families of Pensacola as well as related area families and the Cliffords of Edgecomb, Maine. Includes research on the Pensacola Light House (1824-1978) and lighthouse keeper George T. Clifford.

Special Collections maintains oral history collections consisting of audiotape interviews with individuals in the West Florida region on a variety of subjects.  Research collections which contain oral histories are described individually in the "Guide to Special Collections" and indexed under "Oral history." 

Papers and research files, 1960-1975, including typescripts, photographs, research notes, drafts of publications, and other papers chiefly on history of Pensacola, its buildings and families.  Subjects and organizations include the Pensacola Historic Preservation Society, the Dorothy Walton House Foundation, the Seville Square Settlers, the Pensacola Historic Restoration and Preservation Commission (later the Pensacola Historic Preservation Board), the Downtown Improvement Board, the Dorothy Walton House Museum, the Quina House Museum, the Barkley House, the Tivoli House, Julee Cottage, and William F. Steel.

The major portion of the papers were from the files of William H. Watson, senior member of the Pensacola law firm of Watson & Pasco, and its successors. Mr. Watson was born in Walton County, Florida, February 22, 1876. He read for the law and was admitted to the bar in 1897. Samuel Pasco (1878- ), Clarence J. Brown (1890- ), Samuel Pasco, Jr.(1909- ), and James Baker Watson (1909-1976) also served at various time with the firm.

Personal papers of T.T. Wentworth, including publications and other materials concerning Pensacola history, Mr. Wentworth and his family, the T.T. Wentworth Museum and related materials.