Celebrating the Importance of Glenwood

PANAMA CITY, FL - Glenwood, a community in Panama City, boasts a rich history of community-centric entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency. Despite changes to the community over the years, Glenwood’s legacy is felt and remembered by its residents. 

Glenwood was a hub for local businesses, especially those owned and operated by African American residents. Until the 1960s, segregation drove the predominantly black community to create and patronize its own businesses, allowing it to be a self-supporting place for residents.

Protests and boycotts also played a role in the community’s history during the civil rights era. Businesses that enforced segregation were boycotted, further driving Glenwood towards creating its own businesses. 

Glenwood had just about every business and service a community needed, and more. There were restaurants, grocery stores, bars, churches, barbershops, and a movie theater. The community was in its prime from the 1930s to the 1960s, partly owing its success to the businesses that made the area their home.

Glenwood’s Lincoln Theater, which was opened by the Bailey Theater chain in November 1850, was an important cultural and historical business in the community. It was one of the last “colored theaters” in the country. The theater operated until 1957, but the building continued to be used as a meeting spot for community leaders and groups, including the Shady Grove Lodge #18, Knights of Pythias, and the Order of Calanthe. Unfortunately, the building was demolished in 1996 to expand Cove Boulevard, now renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Battle Mortuary is another business with a long history in Glenwood. W.C. Battle Sr., the founder, originally entered the funerary industry in 1933 in Phenix City, Alabama, with the goal of creating a professional mortuary service for the African American community. Battle Mortuary was opened in June 1963 in Glenwood. Originally located at 605 East 10th Street, a new facility was opened in 1972 at 1123 Cove Boulevard. Battle Memorial continues to offer complete mortuary service to Bay County and surrounding areas to this day.

Russ Shoe Shop was opened in 1949 by owners Morise and Clera Russ at 1107 Cove Boulevard. The shoe repair store became rather successful and the Russ’ were able to move their business to a new, larger building next door. The business became an important part of the community as Morise and Clera continued to work towards the development of Glenwood.

Anderson’s Service Station was opened in 1939 by Willie and Bertha Anderson, whose entire family played a part in the business. Willie and Bertha’s children Barbara, Dannie, Peggy, Ruth, and Willie Jr. all worked there. The station was also home to a paint and body shop run by Willie J. “Shorty” Lucas, which operated at the back of the station. Anderson’s was a common first job for many young men in Glenwood. The business closed in 1985. 

These businesses, and more, have since been given historical markers to highlight their contributions to Glenwood’s community and previously thriving businesses. The markers serve as a testament to the hard work and resilience that built Glenwood’s legacy. 

However, in the latter half of the 20th century, Glenwood’s businesses would experience a decline. When segregation ended, Panama City residents could take their business anywhere, which led to a reduced need for safe havens of black-owned businesses. People and businesses from Glenwood began to relocate. The freedoms of its residents and business owners had increased, and Glenwood was changing. 

Another factor that contributed to the loss of businesses in the area was a road-widening project for Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the same project that ended up demolishing the Lincoln Theater. Several buildings along the road were cleared from 1999 to 2005, leaving several empty lots. Hurricane Michael also heavily impacted the community in 2018.

Glenwood’s prime lives on in those who remember it, and there have been many attempts to both honor the community’s history and revitalize its public life. Several historical markers, as previously mentioned, have been built, accompanied by an online audio tour that takes visitors back to the community’s bustling past.  

Revitalization plans for Glenwood are aimed at creating cultural and heritage spaces, reviving the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard business district, providing more opportunities for small businesses, rebuilding recreational facilities, improving infrastructure, and more.

While Glenwood is very different today, its history has not been forgotten. Its importance to black Americans in the 20th century continues to be recognized and it will hopefully continue to be revitalized.