History of Pensacola city government

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

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

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.

After the Civil War, Pensacola government was dominated by the Republican Party. In 1885, the Florida Legislature, at the urging of Democratic Florida Governor Edward Aylesworth Perry (himself a Pensacolian), revoked the City's charter. Perry 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.

20th century

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

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