Antebellum period

Pensacola's antebellum period took place between the transfer of Florida to the United States in 1821 and the commencement of Civil War hostilities in 1861.

Developments of this period included the construction of Pensacola's harbor defenses (Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas and Fort McRee) under the supervision of William Henry Chase, the beginnings of railroading with the Alabama, Florida & Georgia and Alabama & Florida Railroads, and the failed "New City" real estate project.