100 Block S Palafox
Marker #19
Many of the early commercial structures along Palafox were Frame Vernacular buildings using wood-frame construction. On December 11, 1880, a fire burned five blocks along Palafox Street, destroying over 100 businesses. This fire, and an earlier 1880 fire, destroyed over 90% of the commercial buildings. As a result of these fires, commercial architecture and construction incorporated brick and cast iron as a way to “fireproof” buildings.
The Saenger Theater is an example of Spanish Baroque architecture having an interior that can accommodate both motion pictures and live theatre performances. When the Saenger opened in 1925, it was the largest of the theaters in the Sanger chain, having a seating capacity of 1,802 people. The interior features molded plaster, decorative ironwork, and carved wood in the Spanish Baroque style.
In 1972, the Pensacola City Council approved the creation of what is now known as the Palafox Historic Business District. The formation of this district was to protect the many historic buildings in the downtown commercial core. The period of significance ranges from 1880 – 1965, consisting of a 124 building representing fourteen different architectural styles. In 2016, the District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
