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 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,
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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.