Difference between revisions of "History of Pensacola city government"

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On [[July 18]], [[1821]], General Andrew Jackson appointed a city constable, effectively forming the [[Pensacola Police Department]]. Soon thereafter, Jackson established [[Pensacola city limits|city limits]] encompassing an area of 9.75 square miles.
 
On [[July 18]], [[1821]], General Andrew Jackson appointed a city constable, effectively forming the [[Pensacola Police Department]]. Soon thereafter, Jackson established [[Pensacola city limits|city limits]] encompassing an area of 9.75 square miles.
  
After the [[Civil War]], Pensacola government was dominated by the [[Wikipedia:Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. In [[1885]], the Florida Legislature, at the urging of [[Wikipedia:Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Florida Governor [[Edward Aylesworth Perry]] (himself a Pensacolian), revoked the City's charterPerry intended to replace it with a state-appointed commission, which he intended to fill with Democrats. In [[1893]], the City was granted a temporary charter, followed by a full charter in [[1895]].
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===Provisional Municipality of Pensacola===
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After the [[Civil War]], Pensacola government was dominated by the [[Wikipedia:Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. In [[1885]], the City's charter was revoked by Special Act of the Florida Legislature, at the urging of [[Wikipedia:Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Florida Governor [[Edward Aylesworth Perry]] (himself a Pensacolian).  The City government was dissolved and replaced by the Provisional Municipality of Pensacola, governed by a state-appointed commission, which Perry filled with Democrats. In [[1893]], the City was granted a temporary charter, followed by a full charter in [[1895]].
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The Provisional Municipality of Pensacola lasted from [[January 28]], [[1885]] to [[May 27]], [[1895]].
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===1895 charter===
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The city was organized under a [[Wikipedia:Mayor-council government|mayor-council government]] by the [[Source:Charter of the City of Pensacola, 1895|1895 charter]]. This form of government and charter remained in place until it was superceded by the [[1913]] charter, which provided for a [[Wikipedia:City commission government|city commission government]].
  
 
==20th century==
 
==20th century==
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In [[1908]], [[T. T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum|new City Hall]] was completed at 330 South [[Jefferson Street]].
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In [[1913]], Pensacola again adopted a new charter, which provided for a three-member commission.
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In [[1931]], a new [[Charter of the City of Pensacola|city charter]] was adopted, moving the City government to a [[Wikipedia:Council-manager government|council-manager]] system.
 
In [[1931]], a new [[Charter of the City of Pensacola|city charter]] was adopted, moving the City government to a [[Wikipedia:Council-manager government|council-manager]] system.
  
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==21st century==
 
==21st century==
 
Beginning in [[2001]], the [[mayor of Pensacola]], which since the 1931 charter was appointed by the [[Pensacola City Council|City Council]], became an elected position.
 
Beginning in [[2001]], the [[mayor of Pensacola]], which since the 1931 charter was appointed by the [[Pensacola City Council|City Council]], became an elected position.
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==See also==
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*[[List of governing bodies of the City of Pensacola]]
  
 
[[Category:History]]
 
[[Category:History]]

Latest revision as of 21:44, 20 September 2009

The modern City of Pensacola government traces its history to 1821. On July 17 of that year, General Andrew Jackson accepted the transfer of Spanish West Florida to the United States at Plaza Ferdinand VII.

The City of Pensacola is currently organized under a 1931 charter.

Spanish period[edit]

Prior to the transfer of Spanish West Florida to the United States, Pensacola was its capital, and served as both a Spanish settlement and military outpost. Troops manned Fort San Carlos de Barrancas, and the de facto head of the city's government was the Spanish commanding officer.

19th century[edit]

On July 18, 1821, General Andrew Jackson appointed a city constable, effectively forming the Pensacola Police Department. Soon thereafter, Jackson established city limits encompassing an area of 9.75 square miles.

Provisional Municipality of Pensacola[edit]

After the Civil War, Pensacola government was dominated by the Republican Party. In 1885, the City's charter was revoked by Special Act of the Florida Legislature, at the urging of Democratic Florida Governor Edward Aylesworth Perry (himself a Pensacolian). The City government was dissolved and replaced by the Provisional Municipality of Pensacola, governed by a state-appointed commission, which Perry filled with Democrats. In 1893, the City was granted a temporary charter, followed by a full charter in 1895.

The Provisional Municipality of Pensacola lasted from January 28, 1885 to May 27, 1895.

1895 charter[edit]

The city was organized under a mayor-council government by the 1895 charter. This form of government and charter remained in place until it was superceded by the 1913 charter, which provided for a city commission government.

20th century[edit]

In 1908, new City Hall was completed at 330 South Jefferson Street.

In 1913, Pensacola again adopted a new charter, which provided for a three-member commission.

In 1931, a new city charter was adopted, moving the City government to a council-manager system.

In 1953, the city limits were expanded to 17.2555 square miles.

21st century[edit]

Beginning in 2001, the mayor of Pensacola, which since the 1931 charter was appointed by the City Council, became an elected position.

See also[edit]