Old Panama City BeachThe term "Miracle Strip" was coined in the early 60s. It included all of the white sandy beaches along the northern gulf coast of Florida. From Panama City Beach in Bay County to Pensacola Beach in Escambia County—all were promoted with the phrase, Miracle Strip. This video, commissioned by the Fort Walton Chamber of Commerce, points out that indigenous people enjoyed the white sandy beaches too.
Original Tourists of the Miracle StripOld Panama City Beach2021-07-08 | The term "Miracle Strip" was coined in the early 60s. It included all of the white sandy beaches along the northern gulf coast of Florida. From Panama City Beach in Bay County to Pensacola Beach in Escambia County—all were promoted with the phrase, Miracle Strip. This video, commissioned by the Fort Walton Chamber of Commerce, points out that indigenous people enjoyed the white sandy beaches too.West Of CarrabelleOld Panama City Beach2024-07-22 | The Legend of "Tate's Hell" is enduring folklore from the Florida panhandle. My father told the story to me when I was 10 years old. There are multiple versions of the story of Cebe Tate. All versions agree that Cebe's last words were: "My name is Cebe Tate and I've just come through hell."How the Sky Ride Helped Shape Panama City Beach, FLOld Panama City Beach2024-02-02 | There once was an iconic Sky Ride that ascended 100 feet above ground, carrying gondolas past a panoramic view of the gulf. Then came the turning point – Hurricane Eloise. Read more - oldpanamacitybeach.com/2024/01/24/how-the-sky-ride-shaped-the-miracle-mileTop of the Strip Tower Demolition 1995 #shorts #history #panamacitybeachfloridaOld Panama City Beach2024-01-27 | The Top O' the Strip Tower was built by the same group of partners that brought us Miracle Strip Amusement Park. The tower was constructed in 1966 and was demolished nearly 30 years later. Vintage 8mm footage can be seen near the end.
OPCB invites you to visit http://www.OldPanamaCityBeach.com to view our Blog Post featuring the World's Most Beautiful Beaches and its history as well as our merchandise such as OPCB T-shirts.Vintage Dashboard of Panama City Beach #shorts #travel #beach #historyOld Panama City Beach2024-01-26 | Vintage Dashboard video of the strip on Panama City Beach, FloridaVintage Dashboard of Panama City Beach, FloridaOld Panama City Beach2024-01-26 | ...How the Sky Ride Helped Shape Panama City Beachs Miracle MileOld Panama City Beach2024-01-25 | The Sky Ride was constructed as part of the Goofy Golf Complex in 1961 on Panama City Beach, Florida. Be sure to read our blog post about the Sky Ride at OldPanamaCityBeach.com along with other post about the history of Panama City Beach, Florida.Front Seat in the Starliner Roller Coaster at Panama City Beach, FL then at Cypress Gardens, FLOld Panama City Beach2023-02-27 | The "Starliner" was the first roller coaster in Florida. It was also the first ride on site at Miracle Strip Amusement Park. Starliner was a wooden roller coaster designed by John Allen of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1963. Miracle Strip Amusement Park closed in 2004. The Starliner was moved to Cypress Gardens in 2007. In 2008, it was dismantled and placed in storage.Vintage Goofy Golf — 1962Old Panama City Beach2023-02-18 | Lee Koplin was born in the mid-west. In 1932 he worked in the concrete and steel of Hoover Dam. In 1942, he was managing a failing mini-golf course in Guerneville, CA. His wife suggested he create some fanciful sculpture on their course. After sculpting steel snakes and dinosaurs, Koplin encased his works of art in concrete. Lee Koplin's creations were as durable as they were popular. The original course in CA is still in operation. He built many courses in several states. His masterpiece was Goofy Golf on Panama City Beach, Florida in 1959. CA course here: @dustyrhoads791961 Professional Promo-Video of Long Beach Resort, FloridaOld Panama City Beach2023-02-05 | Vintage footage courtesy of Bill Hudson. This footage was taken when Long Beach Resort, Florida, was at it's peak of popularity. Earl Hadaway is the voice-over talent in this production. Mr. Hadaway was a reporter, anchor, news director, and program director at WJHG in Panama City, FL. In 1980, he left television and joined the staff of Congressman Earl Hutto as District Administrator, serving with him for 15 years. Bill Hudson was chief videographer at WJHG for many years.Long Beach Time WarpOld Panama City Beach2023-01-31 | Imagine, if you will...you board a helicopter for a tour down the beautiful beaches of Panama City Beach...however, a mysterious force pulls you into a time-warp and you're transported 60 years back in time...back when Long Beach Resort was the adored center of Panama City Beach.Going to the Beach 100 Years AgoOld Panama City Beach2023-01-31 | This is a video that I created for the Bay County Historical Society. A century ago, there was a brisk business in ferrying tourists to the Gulf of Mexico via St. Andrew Bay. After the Hathaway Bridge was constructed in 1929, that business model came to an abrupt end.Geli Plate Casting at Gulf Coast State CollegeOld Panama City Beach2022-09-28 | This demo was part of the Geli Plate Printing class as part of the semi-annual Encore Program. Casting a plate was the first lesson on day one. Keeping mold off a geli plate allows it to last much longer. The portrait on the intro screen is a geli print from my high school yearbook. The back-ground is Maude Fealy.Chris Noel - Beach GirlOld Panama City Beach2022-09-12 | Chris Noel is a Florida girl that went to Hollywood and became famous starring in beach movies. In 1966 she spent a few days in Panama City Beach. Later that year she moved to Viet Nam to entertain our troops as a radio personality on Armed Forces Radio and in person. She was fearless as she appeared at outposts that most USO performers considered too risky.Old Motels on the Worlds Most Beautiful BeachesOld Panama City Beach2022-07-31 | Visitors to Panama City Beach, Florida in the 20th century had a great selection of Mom&Pop motels to chose from. Many were directly on the gulf shore. This video explores some old rarely seen motels and includes some wonderful interior shots...it will make you want to book a room in the summer of 1962.Going to the Beach 100 Years Ago on Old Panama City BeachOld Panama City Beach2022-05-12 | Before a bridge building program in 1929, the was no automobile access to the gulf beaches in Bay County. Tourists that wanted to swim in the Gulf of Mexico had to take motor launches to "Land's End"—today's Shell Island. The snow-white sands and sparkling emerald water have not lost their appeal.Pivotal event that changed Panama City Beach forever—Hurricane EloiseOld Panama City Beach2022-05-11 | Hurricane Eloise, Sept. 23, 1975, caused the most damage to PCB since weather records were kept. Nationally famous attractions like the Hang Out at Long Beach Resort and the Old Dutch Tavern on West Panama City Beach were wiped off the beach. Condos replaced many of the mom&pop motels and the era of the high-rise began. The sand remains as white as snow, the Gulf of Mexico still sparkles like emeralds, but the atmosphere has changed.A Tour of the Heart of Old Panama City BeachOld Panama City Beach2022-05-10 | This video is an expanded version of one of the earliest videos on this channel. It includes far more images than the original. — West Panama City Beach was the site of much development in the 60s. It was home to Miracle Strip Amusement Park and other popular attractions. Of all the attractions seen in this video only Goofy Golf and Shipwreck Island remain in operation today.Long Beach Resort in 1960Old Panama City Beach2022-04-05 | Long Beach Resort was incorporated in 1936, but it was the 50s when it became the most popular stretch of beach on the gulf-coast of Florida. Nothing seen in this video remains today, except for the dinosaurs and other fanciful creatures at Goofy Golf. Archive footage courtesy of Bill Hudson.Odyssey of the Enchanter the Life and Art of Vincent E. Valentine Jr.Old Panama City Beach2022-03-21 | "Odyssey of the Enchanter" the Life and Art of Vincent E. Valentine Jr. is the title of a biography that I wrote about Vincent or "Val" Valentine. Val was the creative genius that created most of the iconic attractions at Miracle Strip Amusement Park. In this video, I tell Val's story in a public lecture at the local library. Val lived to be 98 years old. His story is amazing.The Allure of Old Panama City BeachOld Panama City Beach2022-01-15 | Austin Byrd provides the soundtrack to this video that celebrates the magical allure of old Panama City Beach. The story in Austin's song must have been shared by many thousands of people that have visited PCB over the years. Austin has a channel on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCempCiVVXjn-nACGQzmp_7gThe Easy Way To Airbrush Fat LettersOld Panama City Beach2022-01-15 | Kenny Redd, creator of this tutorial, airbrushed Tshirts on Panama City Beach, Florida, from 1976 until 1986. In 1991, he gained a Florida Teacher's Certificate and taught airbrush technique as part of a Commercial Art Program in a Bay County Vocational School. In 2013, he completed his art career and retired as Art Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Mexico Beach, Florida.J. E. Churchwell and Long Beach ResortOld Panama City Beach2022-01-12 | J. E. Churchwell was a Bay County native that pioneered tourism on the Gulf Coast of Florida. He founded Long Beach Resort in the mid-30s and guided it's growth to become the center of beach-side activities in the 50s and 60s.Wet Willie on old Panama City BeachOld Panama City Beach2022-01-12 | Panama City Beach, Florida, was once famous as a magnet for up and coming musicians in the southeast. Before making a splash on the national stage many artists, like Joe South, Billy Joe Royal, the Allman Brothers and Wet Willie honed their craft on Panama City Beach. PCB was the perfect place to expand their fan base all across the region.Sentimental Journey down Front Beach RoadOld Panama City Beach2022-01-11 | In the summer of 2019, I had the privilege to join four of Panama City Beach's pioneering businessmen on a tour of Front Beach Road. They recounted their memories of early landmarks and some of the colorful characters that made up the business community many decades ago. This video is just a snippet of the full tour as we traced old Panama City Beach history from east to west.Famous Female Florida FlyersOld Panama City Beach2021-07-08 | Florida has nurtured many famous female flyers.Senior Trip on Panama City BeachOld Panama City Beach2021-04-23 | Young people have always loved Panama City Beach. Here's a few scenes from a Senior Trip and other beach-side activities from 50 years ago.Levees Gonna Break or Little Jimmy MorrisonOld Panama City Beach2021-04-09 | Stretching one's imagination is required of viewers of this video..."Imagine a world where the adolescent Jim Morrison of the Doors lives in Dothan, Alabama." Imagine the impression old Panama City Beach would have upon young Jimmy in 1963...imagine...Ghost of Ghost TownOld Panama City Beach2021-04-09 | Ghost Town was the creation of J. E. Churchwell. He emulated other resort towns in Florida at the time. Ghost Town had a coal burning locomotive that shuttled passengers back in time and onto the street of a western frontier town. Sherm Walker, the sheriff of Ghost Town was a former TV stunt man and was said to be the man the Matt Dillion shot dead every week in the intro to Gunsmoke. This channel is not monetized...just a hobby. All subscribers are naturally organic. Additional old PBC content here: facebook.com/castledracula.Melody May Sweetheart of the BeachOld Panama City Beach2021-04-09 | Melody May is the most recognizable personality associated with old Panama City Beach. As a photo model, her image was distributed by a variety of publications throughout the US and many other countries. Her photos on OPCB always get many heartfelt comments. This video tells a little of her story...A Drive Down the Old Gulf Coast Scenic HighwayOld Panama City Beach2021-01-13 | Before 1929, the year the Hathaway Bridge was constructed, tourists had to charter a boat to visit the gulf beaches in Bay County. The Gulf Coast Scenic Highway was in place prior to 1929, but it was more "scenic" than a true highway, as the GCSH was a series of disconnected roads that led to dead-ends at many of the bays and inlets along the coastline in the panhandle of Florida. GCSH eventually became US HWY 98 in north Florida. Archival footage courtesy of Bill Hudson. This channel is not monetized...just a hobby. All subscribers are naturally organic. Additional old PBC content here: facebook.com/castledracula.A Lifeguards Work is Never Done on Old Panama City BeachOld Panama City Beach2021-01-13 | Lifeguards have a mystic so strong that they even became the subject of a very popular television program in the 90s — Baywatch. Of course, Baywatch was very loosely based on the real duties of lifeguards. You never saw David Hasselhoff or Pamela Anderson renting umbrellas or beach chairs. However, lifeguards do enjoy a heightened level of sex appeal. The old PCB lifeguards in this video made sure that every beach-goer was safe from all hazards. This channel is not monetized...just a hobby. All subscribers are naturally organic. Additional old PBC content here: facebook.com/castledracula.Odyssey of the Enchanter - the Life and Art of Vincent E. ValentineOld Panama City Beach2020-09-27 | Kenny Redd is the author of "Odyssey of the Enchanter" a biography of the life and art of Vincent Valentine. Mr. Valentine's creations at Miracle Strip Amusement Park helped place it among the top 10 most attended attractions in Florida in the 70s and 80s. He created Jungle Land, Old House, Haunted Castle, Abominable Snowman, Dante's Inferno and many of the features at Shipwreck Island Water Park. oldpanamacitybeach.com/product/odyssey-of-the-enchanterJ E Churchwell, founder of Long Beach ResortOld Panama City Beach2020-08-12 | J. E. Churchwell was born in West Bay, Florida, in 1896. He founded Long Beach Resort in 1935. In the late 40s, he traveled to California to learn about the burgeoning tourist trade there. In California he met Walt Disney. His meeting with Disney invigorated and expanded his development plans for Long Beach Resort. By the 50s, Churchwell's Long Beach Resort was the most popular tourist attraction on the northern gulf coast.CoppertoneHistory 1Old Panama City Beach2020-06-20 | Old Coppertone AdA Brief History of St Andrews State ParkOld Panama City Beach2020-06-20 | A Brief History of St Andrews State Park on Panama City Beach, Florida.The Allure of Old Panama City BeachOld Panama City Beach2020-06-20 | In many ways Panama City Beach was much nicer during the BC era (before condos).Snake A ToriumOld Panama City Beach2020-06-20 | Emulating the success of Ross Allen in Silver Springs, Jack Tillman opened Snake•A•Torium on Panama City Beach in 1946. Dennie Sebolt was employed by Tillman to care for the snakes and other animals. In the 50's Sebolt bought Snake•A•Torium and operated it until 1991, when he sold to Zoo World.Class of 1969 Bay High, Panama City, FloridaOld Panama City Beach2020-03-08 | Bill Hudson provided this footage of High School activities at Bay High, Panama City, Fl, in 1968-69Spinnaker On Panama City Beach, FL, 1988Old Panama City Beach2020-03-07 | In the early 70s, Spinnaker became the first beach-side bar on Panama City Beach to establish an upscale business model. It has since been duplicated up and down the beach.A Brief History of Miracle Strip Amusement ParkOld Panama City Beach2019-02-18 | Miracle Strip Amusement Park was the most popular attraction on old Panama City Beach. For decades it was in the top ten most attended tourist attractions in Florida. This amazing accomplishment was due primarily to the high quality of the park atmosphere. The ambiance was as good as you would find at parks like Disney World...just on a much smaller scale. Read more about old Panama City Beach here:oldpanamacitybeach.comMom & Pop MotelsOld Panama City Beach2019-01-20 | This video is a slide show of photographs featuring old Mom & Pop Motels that used to be all up and down the strip of gulf shore we call Panama City Beach. PCB has changed completely in the last few decades. Now high-rise condos dominate the shores. However, condos will never be able to duplicate the intimacy of stepping out your motel room directly on the sugary sands and emerald water of the Gulf of Mexico. OPCB will never beg you to like or subscribe, however, I do encourage you to visit my blog where I post articles on the surprising history of PCB, Florida: oldpanamacitybeach.comGoing To The Beach in the 50s and 60s at Panama City BeachOld Panama City Beach2019-01-13 | Panama City Beach has changed completely since this footage was taken. However, one thing remains the same - swimming in the warm gulf waters and playing in the white sand is still the main attraction. OPCB will never beg you to subscribe or like. However, you can can learn more about the interesting history of Panama City Beach by visiting oldpanamacitybeach.comA Brief Time-Travel To a Dance Party in 1969Old Panama City Beach2019-01-02 | This video is a nod to the good times had by young people on Panama City Beach about 50 years ago.Tribute To Val Valentine - Panama City Beachs Artist LauretteOld Panama City Beach2018-10-01 | The art of Vincent 'Val' Valentine has been archived by millions of people. Val was the creative force behind Jungle Land and Miracle Strip Amusement Park on Panama City Beach, Florida. Photos of his creations are in homes throughout the world.Are Airbrush Artists Weird - or - Godfather of Airbrushed Shirts Reveals AllOld Panama City Beach2018-07-02 | As an airbrush artist I have great respect for Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. I created this video to celebrate Ed's memory and acknowledge his impact on our culture. On this channel, I post mostly about old Panama City Beach and old beach culture that used to exist there.Lynyrd Skynyrd Video TributeOld Panama City Beach2018-06-15 | I enjoyed the recent road trip to West Jacksonville with my daughter and son-in-law. We enjoyed visiting the Lynyrd Skynyrd landmarks there, so much, I decided to create a video to commemorate the trip. I hope the followers of OPCB also enjoy this video...there is a connection to Castle Dracula and old Panama City Beach.Photo Tour of Old Panama City Beach IconsOld Panama City Beach2018-04-20 | These iconic attractions on old Panama City Beach were loved by everyone. Even today, visitors and locals alike miss the fun-filled activities that these old attractions provided. More stories about old Panama City Beach here: oldpanamacitybeach.com/blogA Photographic Retrospective of Castle Dracula on Panama City BeachOld Panama City Beach2018-04-11 | I airbrushed t-shirts in the Gift Shop at Castle Dracula Wax Museum for ten years. It was a wonderful place to work. Visitors that toured the Wax Museum exited through a door next to my airbrush booth - people's reactions varied, but most folks loved the tour.Tour of Old PCBOld Panama City Beach2018-04-10 | There were many more things to do on old Panama City Beach compared to today. Of all the beachside attractions that once appealed to thousands of visitors annually, only Goofy Golf and Fun•Land remain today