If you love history and traveling back to earlier times, you can experience the life of the early settlers of the Florida Panhandle at the Pioneer Settlement in Blountstown, FL. Just about an hour from Panama City, it’s a great day trip and an easy drive for anyone that wants an excursion and a great experience!
This story is courtesy of Amy Minchin:
At Panhandle Pioneer Settlement, you will see a living history museum. Founder, Willard Smith, stands inside a small building that houses an old FL store and post office. He is there greeting visitors with his friendly greeting, “Y’all come in.” Known as Clarksville General Store, the building serves as the hub of the five acre settlement. It hosts a welcome center and a gift shop. This is where the tours begin and they offer an ice cold Coca-Cola at the end of the tour. There are 18 buildings and most date from the early 1800’s to the 1940’s and the tour offers a look into Northwest Florida’s past. Early settlers flocked to the area because of the farming and timber, also bordered by the Apalachicola River.
Mr. Smith is the fifth generation of his family to live in Calhoun County. His vision for the Settlement, when founded in 1989, was to preserve the pioneer’s life and to share it with future generations. They received a land-grant lease from the county and began collection the artifacts and buildings that are on display now. Many of them were donated to them from local families.
On this tour you will see the Shiloh Schoolhouse, which is a two-room building that was built in approximately 1986. It hosts old books, an abacus, as well as a U.S. flag with 48 stars. On each of the old wooden desks, there is a slate that students of that time used as a writing tablet, along with chalk.
You will also find the F.B. Sexton Cabin that was built in 1872. According to Sam Carmen, the caretaker and tour guide, you’ll see clothes hung on the wall because, during that time, houses were not built with closets because they would have been taxed as having additional rooms.
These are just a few of the highlights of this historic Settlement. There is so much more that Amy Minchin shares about the Pioneer Settlement in her spotlight of the Settlement on visitflorida.com.
Pioneer Camp Rentals
The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement has 3 new rental options that are available for individuals, Families, and Groups.
Pioneer Cabins – Sleeping capacity: 5 cabins with up to 5 people/cabin. $30/cabin/night. (additional: $4/person)
- Tent sites – 10 sites with up to 6 people/site. $20/night/site. (additional: $4/person) Individuals tent camping: up to 50 recommended. $8/night/person. $15/two-night stay/person.
- Day Use Only – Gatherings, Birthday Parties, etc. Day use: hours – 8 am to 9 pm. (exceptions may be made through the office, prior to rental date.) Day rate: $35/hour; Includes pavilion, fire pit, bathrooms. All rentals will include the kitchen (when complete.)
For more information, please contact The Settlement Office at 850-674-2777 or by e-mail at PioneerSettlement@panhandlepioneer.us.
Events
The Annual Events include, but are not limited to the below:
Winter Fest, Classic Desserts, Sacred Harp Sing, Rummage Sale, Folklife Days, Quilt Show, Bat Night, Ice Cream Social, Peanut Boil, Pioneer Day, Syrup Making Day/Craft Fair (Shop Local Saturday), & Breakfast with Santa/Old Fashioned Christmas. Field Trips with groups and schools are scheduled throughout the year. Hymn Sings are monthly. For more information on these events, please visit their website at Panhandle Pioneer.
They have Blacksmith classes, broom making classes, canning classes, and more, so be sure to check out their schedule!
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement has unique and fun opportunities that may qualify for the Bright Future Scholarship Service Hours Requirement.
The Students can volunteer during Weekend Events, school field trip groups, concession stand help, garden maintenance, and maintenance of the grounds. Call the office @850-674-2777 if you’re interested and for availability.
Volunteers Always Needed
The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement has opportunities for Volunteers . If you are interested, please contact our office at 850-674-2777 or for more information go to their website.
- Graduates and Bright Futures applicants: Earn your hours, have fun with your friends, and make new friends!
- Adults: Believe in something bigger than yourself. Your life is worth a noble motive.
- Seniors: To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.
- Benefits
- *Free meals during events.
- *Pioneer attire provided during the events.
- *Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner.
- *Annual membership and perks as volunteer hours accumulate.
- *Apprenticeships may be available with Demonstrators and crafters.
Not-for-Profit Corporation
The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement is a 501©3 not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Florida.
Their goal is to help bring to life the history of pioneer life in Calhoun County and the surrounding Northwest Florida Region. You can walk through each building with a guided tour or during most events to see 1st hand the actual houses that people lived in, the items they used in daily life, and learn some tricks of the time period.
After you book your stay with Premium Beach Condos, be sure to plan an out-of-the-ordinary day trip to this amazing historical Settlement! This is a perfect getaway and, who knows, you might just learn something new on your adventure!
If you decide to go:
Panhandle Pioneer Settlement
17869 NW Pioneer Settlement Rd.
Blountstown FL 32424
850-674-2777