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A Brief History of Mexico Beach Accounts of Mexico Beach’s past are poorly documented before the early 1900s. Sources agree that the area’s first settlement was Fort Crevecouer, a French military installation built in 1717. The fort’s life was short, and it was abandoned under Spanish threat as French interests in the Americas dwindled. Sparse records indicate very little activity until the 1900’s, when rumors of buried riches and sunken ships brought treasure hunters to the coast. One old sailing ship was found buried in shifting local sands, but any record of the vessel and it’s cargo have been lost. Businessman Felix du Pont purchased the property now occupied by the city of Mexico Beach around 1900. Pine trees were harvested for the production of turpentine, and the area gained its first bit of exposure to public eyes. Fishermen were among the first to embrace the newly discovered, and newly accessible, beaches. The allure of amazing Spring and Fall runs of migratory fish were as difficult to resist then as they are today. The completion of U.S.Highway 98 in 1933 vastly increased the number of visitors to the area. Livestock and wildlife still roamed freely along the new road, however, and accommodations were very limited. Growth was slow, and the sleepy little community remained quiet. In 1946, a group of farsighted businessmen led by Gordon Parker, W.T. McGowan, and J.W. Wainwright purchased 1,850 acres along the beach for $65,000.00. Shortly thereafter, development began in earnest. Parker’s son, Charlie, eventually took over development responsibilities for his father’s company, the Mexico Beach Corporation. His determination, 4 efforts and vision shaped the area into the Mexico Beach of today. Charlie Parker, his wife, Inky, and their two daughters moved to the Forgotten Coast in 1949. Through dedication, hard work and personal sacrifice, they made Mexico Beach their home. The little community suffered numerous growing pains, with many plans for development realized while others were shelved. The challenges were many, but slow growth ensued and Mexico Beach had was home to several hundred people by 1955. Always civicminded, Charlie Parker led the community in a program of smart growth, community pride and destination awareness. By 1966, the little town was ready to incorporate, and the City of Mexico Beach was formed. Residents elected Charlie Parker as their first Mayor. Since then, Mexico Beach has continued to grow steadily. Over 1,000 residents currently call Mexico Beach home. Officials have embraced Parker’s vision, preserving the town’s long-standing reputation as a family friendly vacation spot and attracting quality businesses to the region. Mexico Beach has undeniable appeal – residents love it and outof town visitors happily return year after year. Much loved by his community and dearly missed, Charlie Parker passed away in 2003. His beloved wife, Inky, was reunited with him in 2007. Their legacy lives on, however. In 2006, the Mexico Beach canal bridge was named in his honor, and in 2007, the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association deployed the Charlie Parker Memorial Reef.


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