The end of the American Civil War offered almost limitless possibilities for northerners looking to bring business south. Pensacola, Florida, was one of the many southern port cities to bloom in the years following the war. The growth of the red snapper fishing industry in Pensacola contributed prominently to the city’s worldly and unique nature at the beginning of the 20th century.
Due to the huge boom in Pensacola, fish houses were established throughout Northwest Florida to partake in the lucrative red snapper market. While overfishing and international economic regulations largely ended commercial red snapper fishing from the area by the mid-20th century, the industry left an indelible mark on modern Northwest Florida.
The exhibit features artifacts on display from the shipwrecks of two fishing smacks excavated by University of West Florida archaeologists.
