Local Historian Shares Insights on George Mortimer West and Bay County History at Bay County Library

BAY COUNTY, FL - Nancy Hudson, renowned local historian and author of George Mortimer West, His Path in History, shared her research with the Historical Society of Bay County at the Bay County Library on the evening of January 22, 2024. Nancy Hudson was involved in acquiring the Panama City Publishing Company and its conversion into a museum. Nancy opened her talk with words on the importance of remembering the names of people in our community after they have passed on. Nancy stressed that when you quit saying their names, it’s like they weren’t here.

George Mortimer West lived at the turn of the 19th century and is considered the founding father of Panama City. Nancy showed photos of George Mortimer West’s house on 1910 Beach Drive, in Panama City. The current occupants have been gracious and have allowed the Historical Society to do light excavating of the yards through shovel tests and the items that have been found will be displayed in 2027. George West knew the value of a cemetery for a community and set aside land for the first cemetery in Panama City; Oakland Cemetery. Nancy pointed out significant graves and qualities of Oakland Cemetery. There is an area set aside for Union Soldiers. She discussed several of the graves and markers. Also, while all the graves face East in the cemetery, the graves of the family members of George West all face West.

Indicative of the times in which he lived, George West set aside three acres next to Oakland Cemetery for African Americans. Sadly, this land did not remain a cemetery and Nancy indicated some interred remains from that cemetery were moved to Lynn Haven Cemetery.

The Historical Society of Bay County hosts a guest speaker each month at the Bay County Library except for the summer months of May, June and July. Additionally, they maintain and finance the Bay County History Museum downtown on 133 Harrison Avenue. They welcome new members and exist by donations, memberships, and grants.

Nancy concluded her lecture with a quote from Frederick Buechner. “Tell the stories and say the names, for as long as you remember me, I am never, ever lost.”

Thank you for sharing your work Nancy!!

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16609339/george-mortimer-west