FORGOTTEN COAST® VISITOR GUIDE APALACHICOLA . ST. GEORGE ISLAND . EASTPOINT . SURROUNDING AREAS OFFICIAL GUIDE OF THE APALACHICOLA BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE APALACHICOLABAY.ORG 850.653-9419 2 apalachicolabay.org elcome to the Forgotten Coast, a place where you can truly relax and reconnect with family and friends. We are commonly referred to as WOld Florida where You will find miles of pristine secluded beaches, endless protected shallow bays and marshes, and a vast expanse of barrier islands and forest lands to explore. Discover our rich maritime culture and history and enjoy our incredible fresh locally caught seafood. Shop in a laid back Furry family members are welcome at our beach atmosphere in our one of a kind locally owned and operated home rentals, hotels, and shops and galleries. shops. There are also dog-friendly trails and Getting Here public beaches for dogs on The Forgotten Coast is located on the Gulf of Mexico in leashes. North Florida’s panhandle along the Big Bend Scenic Byway; 80 miles southwest of Tallahassee and 60 miles east of Panama City. The area features more than Contents 700 hundred miles of relatively undeveloped coastal Apalachicola ..... 5 shoreline including the four barrier islands of St. George, Dog, Cape St. George and St. Vincent. The Eastpoint ........ 8 coastal communities of Apalachicola, St. George St. George Island ..11 Island, Eastpoint, Carrabelle and Alligator Point are accessible via US Highway 98. By air, the Forgotten Things To Do .....18 Coast can be reached through commercial airports in Surrounding Areas 16 Tallahassee http://www.talgov.com/airport/airporth- ome.aspx and Panama City www.iflybeaches.comand Fishing & boating . 26 by private airports in Apalachicola (850) 653-1366 and Places to Stay ....31 on St. George Island (850) 927-2312. By boat, on Gulf Intracoastal Waterway from Florida’s West Coast enter Places to Eat .....40 at St. George Sound through East Pass, between Dog Places to Shop ....46 Island and St. George Island, or through Bob Sikes Cut. From the west, take the Intercoastal waterway through Special Occasions . 54 East Bay from Panama City on Personal Services . 58 past White City and continue east through Lake Business Services . .61 Wimico to the Jackson River, which will lead Area Events . 68 to the Apalachicola River. The Forgotten Coast Visitor’s Guide is published by the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce, 17 Avenue E, Apalachicola, FL 32320, (850) 653-9419, www.apalachicolabay. org. All rights reserved. Design/Production: Bay Media Photography: Richard Bickel Pho- tography, Robinson Brothers, Debbie Hooper, Lane Autrey, Journeys of SGI, Brett Martina, RedFly Studios, Ted Ruffner, Vic Ramos, Terry Kemp, Resort Vacation Properties. Palmer Philyaw, Southern Salinity Photography, Royce Rolstad apalachicolabay.org 3 Because Medical Emergencies Don’t Take A Vacation... You hope it never happens but if you need medical care during your visit, we’re here for you ... Walk-ins Welcome 135 Avenue G . Apalachicola . 850-653-8853 Weems Medical Centers • 24-hour Emergency Services East - Carrabelle • Inpatient acute care services 110 NE 5th Street, Carrabelle, FL • Swing-bed rehabilitation (850) 697-2345 West - Apalachicola Diagnostic and Outpatient Services 137 12th Street, Apalachicola, FL • X-rays (850) 653-1525 • Radiology • CT scans Quick care • Primary care • Ultrasounds Diagnostic services including: • Laboratory services X-rays • Laboratory services www.weemsmemorial.com Apalachicola Apalachicola’s rich history and maritime culture is complimented by the area’s bountiful natural resources. palachicola or “Apalach“, as it Apalachicola is also noted for having is known by locals, is far from a some of the finest oysters in the coun- Atypical tourist town. Established in try. They have a pure, mild, briny flavor 1831, it was once the third largest port on that has been recognized by top chefs the Gulf of Mexico. Wide, tree-lined streets throughout the country. Smaller open bay are proudly graced by picturesque homes boats moored or trailered each day, tong that give visitors a glimpse of the wealth for oysters in the many shallow areas of and craftsmanship that existed here in the Apalachicola Bay. Larger fishing vessels 18th and 19th centuries. line the waterfront and regularly net fresh Apalachicola’s vibrant history and rich local shrimp and fish. Eat at one of our ac- maritime culture can also be seen on its claimed restaurants that feature fresh, local working waterfront. Buildings that once seafood harvested daily. served as 19th century ship’s chandleries, Apalachicola’s history and maritime net factories and a sponge warehouse now culture are matched by the area’s bountiful house a mix of eclectic and trendy shops, natural resources. The Apalachicola River restaurants, galleries and meticulously and Apalachicola Bay provide great fishing restored hotels and B & B’s. These locally opportunities for both fresh and salt water owned and operated businesses create a fishing buffs. Outdoor enthusiasts can quaint and friendly atmosphere for visitors explore the endless bays and waterways by as well as local residents. kayak, canoe, riverboat or sailboat. A grand theater lies in the center of town. The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Restored in 1997, the Dixie Theatre hosts Commerce started around 1836 making it professional theater and musical events the oldest Chamber in Florida and one of January through March. the oldest Chamber of Commerce’s in the United States still in operation. apalachicolabay.org 5 APALACHICOLA A History Rich with Steamboats, Timber and Seafood he port of Apalachicola was estab- shape in the City. Home to large cypress lished in 1831. Shipping cotton was forests, Franklin County developed several Apalachicola’s big industry and it big lumber mills in the late 1800s. Lumber T magnates built many of the magnificent soon became the third largest port on the Gulf of Mexico. By the 1850s, the water- historic homes that line our streets. front was lined with brick warehouses and By the end of the 19th century, har- broad streets to handle the loading and vesting oysters and seafood became an unloading of cotton. Steamboats laden important industry. Today Franklin County with cotton came down the River and were harvests more than 90 % of Florida’s oys- unloaded. Then small shallow-draft schoo- ters and 10 % of the oysters consumed in ners (lighters) shuttled the cargo to ships the nation. Shrimp, blue crab and finfish moored offshore. are also very important commercially, As the railroads expanded throughout bringing in over $14 million worth of sea- the United States, a new industry took food to Franklin County docks annually. 6 apalachicolabay.org APALACHICOLA Apalachicola has more than 900 historic homes, buildings and sites listed in its extensive National Register District, and the city was an outstanding shop for pets & their selected one of America’s Dozen Distinctive people and Delicious Dog Biscuits Destinations in 2008 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Trust for Historic Preservation chose Apalachicola as one of its 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations based on its unique character, exceptional charm and dedication to historic preservation. Awarded to only a handful of communities throughout the nation, this designation The exford Suite confirms Apalachicola’s commitment to R preserving its working seafood industry, 2 bedroom/2 bath Vacation Rental maritime culture and history. VRBO #392994 ALL Locally Owned & Operated in Apalachicola Florida Baptism in Florida’s Camel Lake, 2005 RICHARDBickelPHOTOJOURNALIST FINE ART BOOKS • FINE ART PRINTS • FINE ART POSTERS VISIT THE GALLERY IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN apaLACHICOLA 81 MARKET STREET, ApaLACHICOLA • 850.653.3900 WWW.RICHARDBICKELPHOTOGRAPHY.COM apalachicolabay.org 7 Eastpoint There are endless pristine shallow bays and marshes, plus miles of forest to explore. ateway to Tate’s Hell State Eastpoint is also home also to the Forest, St. George Island and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Apalachicola National Forest, Reserve Center, a 5,000 square foot G research and nature center near the Eastpoint is the central point of the Forgotten Coast. There are thousands of foot of the bridge to St George Island. acres in Tate’s Hell and the Apalachicola The center, open to the public Tuesday National Forest for hiking, birding, hunting through Saturday, houses many exhibits and fishing. Wild flower savannahs and representative of the coastal ecosystem, marshes attract outdoor enthusiasts popular educational exhibits of the plant nationwide. It is a place one can truly feel and animal life found in this region, live untouched by today’s world. fish tanks, oyster boat, natural resource and history information. The waters of the Apalachicola Bay are among the cleanest and most productive in the nation, yielding seafood landings in excess of $14 million annually in Franklin County. Apalachicola Bay oysters are among the most delectable and nutritious seafood in the world and are a very important part of the Franklin County economic picture. More than 1,000 people in Franklin County are employed by this industry and approximately $6.5 million (2.6 million pounds of oyster meat) are shucked here. 8 apalachicolabay.org EASTPOINT Historically, Franklin County harvests oystermen bring the oysters to the surface. more than 90% of Florida’s oysters and The oysters are brought on board and 10% of the nationwide supply. Oysters sorted on a culling board where they are make up almost one-third the value of separated by size. commercial marine landings but shrimp, On shore, the seafood houses sort the blue crab and finfish are also important oysters and package them for sale either in - bringing in millions of dollars worth of bags or boxes, or send them to be shucked, seafood to the docks. Oystermen harvest washed and sold in pints or gallons. The oysters in the Apalachicola area from more Bay is carefully monitored to ensure the than 7,000 acres of public oyster “bars” health and productivity of the oyster beds.