East Hill, Pensacola

Also known as “dueling oaks,” Frascati Park once had many gentlemen’s duels, political rallies, fish fries, and recreational boating activities. According to the New City Tract map, drawn by surveyors Lee and Harding, Frascati Park covered eight lots, occupying blocks 34, 35, 50, and 51. Originally, Frascati Park was offered in a land grant given by the King of Spain in 1806. The sight saw many duels, including one between Colonel Walton, the retired acting governor of Pensacola, and Dr. McMahon in 1829. Walton was wounded after the second shot, and ended the duel.

Many people used Frascati Park for picnicking and rode to the park in private buggies, walked, or took the trolley to the closest stop. The popular Mullets and Snappers political groups hosted political rallies at Frascati Park. There, people participated in the rallies and shared in fish chowder, beer, and sandwiches. The Pensacola Volunteer Firemen’s organization often attended the political rallies annually. Many of these volunteer firemen, most from the Germania Company, also visited Frascati Park after the downtown May Day parade.

Frascati Park witnessed the growth of the L&N railroad in Pensacola. Located along the railroad tracks, Frascati Park was close to the L&N railroad repair shops, located only a few blocks from the park. Many of the railroad workers were some of the first people living in the nearby East Hill area around the turn of the century.

The Pensacola Women’s Club purchased Frascati Park in 1932 to house their headquarters. However, the L&N tracks continued to run under the AmTrak’s Sunset Limited passenger train until 2005. Today, the station stands vacant and Frascati Park remains a remnant of Pensacola’s past.