The Colonial Era and Pensacola's Strategic Role

Pensacola Bay, near Big Lagoon, became a focal point for colonial rivalry between Spain, Britain, and France during the 17th and 18th centuries. Control over this stretch of the Gulf Coast changed hands numerous times.

• Spain first established a settlement at Pensacola in 1698.
  
  


• Britain controlled the area from 1763 to 1781.
  
  


• Spain regained control until 1821, when Florida became a U.S. territory.
  
  

During this period, the nearby Perdido Bay and Big Lagoon areas remained mostly undeveloped but served as important natural boundaries and navigational channels. These waterways played a strategic role in naval movements, trade, and even smuggling operations.

  Military Significance and the Rise of Naval Aviation

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Pensacola emerged as a hub of military importance. The U.S. Navy established a presence here in the early 1800s, culminating in the opening of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola in 1914—the birthplace of U.S. naval aviation.

Proximity to Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon, located just west of the base, provided a natural buffer and training area. The surrounding land, though still largely undeveloped, became part of the military and industrial orbit of the growing city.

While Big Lagoon itself was not heavily militarized, its waters and airspace were used for training exercises, especially during World War II. Today, the roar of Navy jets can still be heard overhead—a reminder of the area’s long-standing military legacy. shutdown123