Bay County, Florida has a captivating history that dates back to the 16th century. It all began in 1913 when the Legislature created Bay County from parts of Washington, Calhoun, and Walton counties. The name Bahia was chosen as it was agreeable to most citizens and distinctive of the territory that would be included. To commemorate this momentous event, a celebration was held in City Park (now known as McKenzie Park).
Attendees brought picnic baskets and city-provided grilled meats were served for everyone. Other attractions included music, boat races, and baseball and swimming games.Bay County is thirty-six miles wide and an average width of twenty-three miles, and is bordered to the north by Washington and Jackson Counties, to the east by Calhoun County, to the south by the Gulf of Mexico, and to the west by Walton County. The county has a rich history that dates back to when members of the Miurelo expeditions visited in 1516, Pineda in 1519, Navarez in 1529 and DeSoto in 1540. In addition, the manufacture of wood from yellow pine wood from Bay County has been carried out almost continuously at various points in the bay for almost a hundred years.The Board of County Commissioners is a five-member board of directors elected generally to represent the citizens of Bay County.
The executive director of Bay County is Majka who is responsible for managing senior staff in the county and its departments. The average temperature in Bay County is about 69 degrees, with a high of 98 degrees and an average low of 26 degrees.Andrews Bay was one of the first places visited by Spanish expeditionary forces in the 16th century. It wasn't until thirty years ago that Bay County began to be exploited and colonists, settlers, and others began to arrive. The Andrews Bay Railroad crosses the county from the northwest corner to Panama City in the south-central part.
Andrews Bay oysters have been known for their excellent quality ever since white men began visiting the bay.The Bay County Courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1915 but its outer walls survived and it was rebuilt. During her visit in 1997, Margaret (now 77) sat in what was once her mother's private yard and shared her memories of life in early Bay County.To learn more about federal officials, state officials, cities, school districts, courts, and legislation initiatives in this county use the links below:
- Florida Congressional Delegation
- Florida State Executives
- Florida State Legislature
- Florida State Legislature Electoral Measures Across the State of Florida
- The Courts of Florida
