Chipola Historical Trust

07/22/2026

Our last post shared our latest program where we learned about the history of the Hotel Chipola, which turns 100 years old this year. We also learned about the Satsuma Festival and Parades that were held in Marianna in 1928 and 1929 and watched a video from 1928. Below, for your enjoyment also, we are sharing the link to the video.

As you watch the video, you will be amazed at how many people, reportedly thousands, were crowding Lafayette Street to take part in the festivities. You will also be able to tell where most of it was filmed because the area and the storefronts have changed very little! Mr. Charles Reiff was the one who filmed this priceless video almost 100 years ago that we are so fortunate to have.

(The video is about 22 minutes long and takes a few seconds to start)
https://archives.uwf.edu/Archon-DF/Manuscripts/M2015-12/1928SatsumaOrangeFestivalMariannaFL.mp4

07/21/2026

At our monthly meeting President Robert Daffin presented a program on the Hotel Chipola (as it was originally named) which turns 100 years old this year. He also gave a brief history on the original wooden hotel which was built in the 1880’s and later moved slightly to the south for the present hotel to be built. Robert told us about the builder and original owner of the hotel, Charles Corcoran, and his involvement in the community as well as the local businesses he owned. Mr. Corcoran was in the farm and nursery business and made Charles Reiff (grandfather of Robert, Charles and Julie) a Vice President. Mr. Reiff ended up owning what later became Chipola Nurseries.

Mr. Corcoran was also instrumental in bringing the satsuma business to Marianna and Satsuma Festivals and Parades were held in 1928 and 1929. The events brought huge crowds of people from other counties in Northwest Florida as well as local people. The event had a big parade with fancy, decorated vehicles along with events in Confederate Park. A band also played in the large bandstand in Confederate Park. We also got to watch a video of the 1928 festival that was actually filmed by Mr. Reiff.

We learned that automobile traffic in the 1920’s created a need in Marianna for a hotel for travelers to stay in. Many businesses were later in the hotel, including the first newspaper, which Mr. Corcoran also started. The hotel was a major social gathering place with a ballroom and dining room. Marianna had many clubs and organizations and most meetings were held at the hotel, as well as dances and school proms.

The next time you ride by the Chipola Hotel, glance over at it and try to imagine all of the stories it could tell from the past 100 years!

07/19/2026

Did you know that Graceville (FL) used to be home to a professional baseball team? The team that later became known as the Graceville Oilers was originally formed in 1947 and was first known as the Enterprise (AL) Boll Weevils. The team relocated to Graceville in the mid-1952 season and was renamed the Graceville Oilers. At that time the population of Graceville was around 1675 and Graceville was known as the smallest town in professional baseball.

The Oilers got their name from the peanut oil that was processed nearby in what was then called the “World’s Largest Peanut Sheller”. It was later known as Goldkist.

The Oilers were part of the Class D Alabama-Florida League along with teams from Pensacola, Ft. Walton Beach, Crestview, Florida and Dothan, Eufaula, Opp and Andalusia, Alabama. The Graceville Oilers team was disbanded after the 1958 season. The stadium, known as Sportsmen’s Park, was then used for high school football and the property is now owned by West Florida Electric Co-op.

Today, only electrical transformers and equipment are on the remains of the concrete grandstand that was frequently filled with 3000 fans.

(Information taken from old newspapers)

07/14/2026

Although the original wooden Chipola Hotel building was constructed in the early 1880’s, the present building was constructed in 1926 and is 100 years old this year! At this month’s meeting, our President Robert Daffin will tell us about the history of the hotel, including its original owner and its many offices, uses and special events held there over the past 100 years.

The public is invited to join us on Monday, July 20 and we’d love to see you there. Our program will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Davis-West House located at 4448 Putnam Street in Marianna. Come help us celebrate the hotel’s 100 years of being a landmark in downtown Marianna.

07/13/2026

07/03/2026

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)- As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we aren’t just celebrating July 4th, 1776. We are reflecting on all the moments that made America what it is today…

06/09/2026

Our next monthly meeting will be Monday, June 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the historic Davis-West House located at 4448 Putnam Street.

Our program this month will be presented by Kay Dennis, Municipal Development Director with the City of Marianna. Mrs. Dennis will share with us the plans for the “Ring of Trails” which will expand recreational opportunities by encircling the city with connected walking paths and greenways for both residents and visitors.

We welcome all non-members and hope to see you on Monday!

05/27/2026

We are very sad to learn of the passing of our longtime member, Robert Earl Standland. He continued to attend our meetings regularly and was present at our last meeting just five days before his passing.

Robert Earl was a special member of our community and will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort are extended to his wife Nadine and their family.

Celebrate the life of Robert Earl Standland and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

05/19/2026

Last night at our monthly meeting, Billy Bailey presented our very interesting program. Billy is the Projects Manager for Jackson County and shared with us the history of Shangri La Spring, located on Merritt’s Millpond, as well as recent improvements and plans for its future use.

We learned there are written accounts of the spring dating back to the Spaniards as early as 1674. Billy told us about the ownerships of the property throughout the years, including the Federal Government when Graham Air Base was open. At that time, the property was used by Graham Air Base as its officer’s club for use by the service men and their families, and their officers’ club pavilion was located where the new pavilion is now.

There is a now a new boardwalk and overlook, along with the new pavilion, that are accessible from Blue Springs Park. The pavilion is now available for weddings, reunions and special events.

We appreciate Billy sharing with us the history, improvements and future use for this beautiful, unique property.

05/11/2026

This month’s program will be presented by Jackson County’s Project Manager, Billy Bailey. Billy will tell us of the history of Shangri La Spring located on the north end of Merritt’s Millpond. He will also tell us about the new boardwalk and overlook that has recently been built and opened for use.

We will also learn how the Shangri La property was used by Graham Air Base in the 1950s as an officer’s club for the Base. The officer’s club was on a bluff overlooking the spring where service men and their families went to swim and dance. A new pavilion has been built at that location by the County, which will be used as a venue for birthday parties, weddings, reunions and other events.

Kay Dennis, City of Marianna, will also present a program on the Ring of Trails that the City of Marianna is developing along the Chipola River and around the city. The City is creating the walking trails for increased recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to our area.

Our meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 18 at the Historic Davis West House located at 4448 Putnam Street in Marianna. The meeting is open to the public and everyone is invited to come join us for these informative talks.