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[[Image:MunicipalAuditorium1974.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The Municipal Auditorium in 1974]]'''Bayfront Auditorium''' (originally known as the '''Pensacola Municipal Auditorium'''until [[1988]]) was a building that sat for fifty years at the foot of [[Palafox Street]], overlooking [[Pensacola Bay]]. It was demolished in [[2005]].

The building opened in Municipal Auditorium was built for $820,000 and dedicated on [[1955February 8]]. It was managed by former , [[Mayor of Pensacola|Pensacola mayor1955]] . The [[Walter WickePensacola High School]] from its opening until Wicke's death in band played at the dedication ceremony and was the first group to perform there. The [[1966Wikipedia:Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra|Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra]]was the first major concert a month later, to a crowd of about 2,000.<refname="landmark">http://www"Landmark brought many greats.stjohnshistoriccemetery.com/pensacolas_heritages/government" ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 18, 1999.htm#w_wicke</ref>

The building was managed by former [[Mayor of Pensacola|Pensacola mayor]] [[Walter Wicke]] from its opening until Wicke's death in [[1966]].<ref>http://www.stjohnshistoriccemetery.com/pensacolas_heritages/government.htm#w_wicke</ref> During [[segregation]], blacks were forced to use a side entrance and sit in the balcony. During its lifetime, the building was host to some of the world's biggest musical acts. [[Wikipedia:Elvis Presley|Elvis Presley]] performed at the auditorium on [[February 26]], [[1956]].<ref>http://community.netscape.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ws-music&tid=86642&redirCnt=1</ref> [[Wikipedia:Patsy Cline|Patsy Cline]] sang at the auditorium only a few years before her death. When [[Wikipedia:Jerry Lee Lewis|Jerry Lee Lewis]] performed, he pounded the new piano so fiercely that the management stopped the show halfway through. The attendance record was set by [[Wikipedia:Charley Pride|Charley Pride]], whose [[1971]] concert packed in 3,000 fans.<ref>Troy Moon. name="Landmark brought many greats.landmark" ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 18, 1999.</ref>