The Historical Society of Bay County
Panama City, Florida
Panama City Airport
(click on the picture to view site in Google Maps)
Historic Marker: Entrance to Main Terminal Building, near Flag Poles
County: Bay
City: Panama City
Description: Established 1945 on Fannin Field, Panama City-Bay County Airport. 1964 Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District. 1967 Developed and controlled by Representative Airport Authorities in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Agency Control Tower Erected by Federal Aviation Agency 1967.
Note: While the above information is correct, it is not complete. The first municipal airport was established on a 292 acre tract donated by Mr. & Mrs. J. B. Atkinson on November 16, 1932. New and longer runways were constructed and the airport was renamed Fannin Field in 1945.
The following article was published in the Panama City Pilot November 17, 1932:
"PANAMA CITY GETS MODERN AIRPORT; WILL ACCOMMODATE BOTH LAND AND SEAPLANES
"Possibly nothing of the year is quite equal to the magnanimous gift to the city of the site for ;the municipal airport. This gift was made Wednesday afternoon by Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Atkinson.
"The site which lies just north of St. Andrews three-quarters of a mile from the the gulf coast near Pretty Bayou, is a tract of 292 acres, a beautiful level plateau, touching the bayou and giving to the port excellent field for the land planes with North Bay as a landing fo seaplanes in the finest harbor in the South.
"The seaplanes may land in North Bay and taxi into the bayou in the roughest weather.
"The city commission through the Federal Employment Relief Board has been assured that could a proper site be secured, Federal funds would be available for the complete development of the port.
"It is understood the the streets leading to the port will be hard surfaced immediately. And that within 10 days actual work will begin and rushed to completion.
"This has been one of Panama City's greatest needs. And the public spirited generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson is greatly appreciated.
"It is most appropriate that the field should be named Atkinson Municipal Airport. For the genosity of Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson at this time makes possible the immediate opening of the field, which in all probability would have been delayed for some time because of the city's present financial situation would not allow the purchase of the valuable property."