Port St Joe High School - Monument Yearbook (Port St Joe, FL)

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Theme Gulf County Celebrates Fifty Years Of Golden Success, Progress and Prosperity Everyone in St. Joe could hardly wait until June 6, 1974. This day be- gan a nine day celebration of Gulf County’s fiftieth anniversary of exis- tence. This celebration was filled with many activities and numerous events of all sorts. There were tournaments. Parades. Air Shows. Art Shows and nothing short of forty major events. This an- niversary celebration was enjoyed fully by everyone. Everyone had an important role to play according to his own choice. The success of this Golden Anniversary has to be ac- credited to a large number of students. Gulf County was carved out of Cal- houn County on June 6, 1925 mak- ing it one of Florida’s youngest counties. Written history dates back to 1498 when Amerigo (Americus) Vespucci, along with other Italian. Spanish and Portuguese conquista- dors explored the region. Spanish sites have been found that predate the founding of St. Augus- tine indicating Spanish interest in the area in the early I500’s. French involvement of the early 1700’s is evidenced by Fort Creve-coure. English influence was evident in the early I800’s. Control of the area changed constantly. St. Joseph 1835-1841. has much his- torical significance, being the site of Florida's first constitutional in 1838. and of the states first and third steam railroads. The town’s demise by Yellow fever, fire, and storm sev- eral times ended the era. Salt Works along with beautiful St. Joseph's Bay made a great contribution to the Confederacy during the Civil War. Wewahitchka was founded in 1875. Modern day Port St. Joe was founded in 1903. Construction of St. Joe’s Paper Company’s huge plant in 1935 brought about a rebirth of the area. The Historical society under the su- pervision of Mr. Jesse Stone has at- tributed a great deal into the success of the Golden Anniversary. Mr. Stone serves as President over the Historical society, and was always willing to supply the Monument Staff with valuable information con- cerning the celebration. Right: Everyone was filled with lhal Golden Spirit , but four members of the Senior Class Executive Board ‘put it all together' and came up with a bit more celebration fever And decided to extend some Brotherhood and hospitably P S. One member became a little too spirited’

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'Gulf County's Golden Anniversary9 «

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Welcome! To Where The Pine Is King Gulf And The Fun County Supreme Today Today Gulf County is a thriving, growing area of industrial and rec- reational resources with nostalgic reminders of a glorious past and a promising future. Port S. Joe. Wewahitchka and Mex- ico Beach, principal municipalities in the area abide peacefully in the “Last Frontier”, away from the hustle and bustle of large cities. The quietness and serenity is a courtesy of the citizens. Wewahitchka lies on the famous Dead Lakes and is often called the “fishing capital” of the world and rightly so. Fishing in the many lakes, rivers and streams is at its best. The community with a heart welcomes you. Port St. Joe. “Constitution City”, lo- cated on beautiful St. Joseph’s Bay is the heart of county industry. Busy as a bee, but with peaceful dignity, permits maximum utilization of the vast stores of natural resources. Mexico Beach at the western edge of Gulf County has miles of Mir- acle Strip”-World's Safest beaches. Motels, rental units, and recrea- tional vehicle parks are available. Water sports and all types of fishing are supported by marinas, piers and charter boats. i