Lee Conner Hagler

Lee Conner Hagler was a prominent Pensacolian in the first half of the 20th century. He was the manager of the San Carlos Hotel for 20 years, was instrumental in the development of Pensacola's airport, and served as mayor of Pensacola from 1937 to 1943. He died in office.

Lee Conner Hagler
Born	February 25, 1890 Attalla, Alabama
Died	August 12, 1943 Pensacola
Occupation	Manager, San Carlos Hotel Mayor of Pensacola
Spouse	Bess Harbeson Hagler
Parents	William John and Mary Duncan Hagler
Children	Lee Conner Hagler, Jr. Angus William Hagler Gloria

Hagler served in the Navy during World War I, then settled in Pensacola in 1920. On November 5, 1922, he married Bess Harberson of Pensacola. Her father, W. B. Harbeson, was the owner of the San Carlos Hotel. Hagler was made manager of the hotel in February 1923 and held that position until his death.

In 1933, Hagler and Harry Blanchard, a barnstorming pilot, purchased 504 acres of thick woodland northeast of the city with the intention of develloping an airport. Initially, the airport consisted of two grass-strip runways and a Navy-surplus hangar. In 1935, the City of Pensacola sponsored a project through the Works Progress Administration to develop a permanent municipal airport.

Aside from the positions mentioned, Hagler also served as secretary and treasurer of the Pensacola Hotel Company, vice president of the Pensacola Baseball Club, president and treasurer of the Baylen Street Wharf Company, secretary and treasurer of the Camp Walton Boat Company, and as a director of the American National Bank and the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce.

Preceded by: Max L. Bear

Mayor of Pensacola 1937—1943

Succeeded by: Walter Wicke