The Historical Society of Bay County
Panama City, Florida
John Christo (Sr) Home
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(Click on the picture to view site in Google Maps)
Marker
Location:
940 W. Beach Drive, near sidewalk
County:
Bay
City: Panama
City
Description:
Side 1: Built in 1927 by A. A. Payne, a banker, and bought by John
Christo, Sr., the house is significant in architecture, a mixture of
styles typical of the late 19th and early 20th centuries which includes
Neo-Colonial Revival and Italianate Villa influences and the
accomplishments of John Christo, Sr., 1885 – 1973. He was born to a
Greek family on a farm near the village of Kirte, Turkey. As war between
Turkey and Bulgaria drew near, he left Turkey and came to America in
1912 at the age of 27. He had $50, which he borrowed from a relative in
Turkey. His ship sailed to New York where he knew no one and was advised
to travel by steamer to Jacksonville, Florida and from there to Tarpon
Springs where he could communicate in Greek and get a job. He overcame
the language barrier by obtaining a Greek-to-English dictionary. He got
a job at a restaurant peeling onions, then was advised to go to Quincy,
Florida where he was able to work, save and borrow enough to realize his
dream to own and operate a five and dime store. Side 2: Christo became
so successful that he eventually owned 42 stores named Christo’s 5
Cents, 10 Cents and $1.00 Stores in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. He
founded four successful corporations: Christo’s, Inc., Christo’s Stores,
Inc., F & T Investments, Inc. and Christo Realty Company, Inc. The main
office and warehouse for the five and dime stores was located at 437
Grace Ave., Panama City. The warehouse was the main merchandise supplier
for the stores. He was successful in department store retailing,
commercial real-estate investments, commercial building, organizing
corporations, architectural design and draftsmanship, land surveying and
helping others with their financial endeavors. He opened and operated 36
of the five and dime stores while residing at 940 West Beach Drive. He
built three homes. The first was built in 1926 at 100 Allen Ave. He
donated property to the State of Florida in 1951, doubling the size of
Florida Wayside Park, Panama City Beach. The house is the birthplace of
Jimmy and George Christo, twins, born on July 31, 1936 during an unnamed
hurricane. The A. A. Payne – John Christo, Senior House is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.