New app unveils adventure, gems and Black history along Cove Boulevard
The ‘Glenwood Historical Marker Trail’ encourages people to get out and explore the contributions made by Bay County’s Black entrepreneurs.
This story is part of our weekly Hidden Gems feature series as the USA TODAY Network – Florida takes readers around the state to highlight some of our most interesting attractions.
Destination Panama City, the official promotion and marketing agency for the local government, has launched a self-guided tour up (or down) Cove Boulevard’s business district. The project, entitled the “Glenwood Historical Marker Trail,” encourages people to explore the rich contributions made by Black entrepreneurs.
The tourism and education campaign took its inspiration from Myron Hines’ photo book, “Historical Journey Up Cove Boulevard.” The retired Glenwood resident and former broadcast cameraman’s book, first published in 2020, transports readers to the many stops along the main road’s business district, from U.S. Business 98 to 15th Street.
What makes this tour special?
If you just head to the beach in Bay County, you are missing out on some important and special local history. The informational markers along this trail will help provide the details.
Some of the businesses recognized along the tour include Wilson Bros.’ Barber Shop, established in 1946; Lady Ethel’s Beauty College, established in 1947; Lewis Bail Bonding, established in 1955; Lee’s Motel, established in 1967; Reed’s Paint & Body, established in 1982; and Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, established in 1909.
“The travelers that we have in Panama City range in age from 18 to 65 and older,” Jennifer Vigil, president and CEO of Destination Panama City, said, describing who might be interested in such a self-guided experience.
“And what we find with the visitation is that they’re more interested in cultural and creative amenities. So this would be right along the lines of what our normal visitor would be doing.”
Related ‘virtual trails’ are coming
Vigil added that her office plans to expand the city’s virtual trail system with three more experiences: An Ale Trail; a Mural Trail; and an Oyster Trail.
When to go and how to get there
The best way to take the tour is to download the Otocast app from either the Google Play Store or the iPhone App Store and search for the “Glenwood Historical Markers Trail.” The experience is available for both Android and iOS smartphones.
The app starts with a brief introduction. Visitors can approach the stops on the trail any way they wish, and in any order. But the first place mentioned on the virtual tour is Lady Ethel Beauty College, 1308 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., followed by the nearby Lee’s Motel at 1342 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
The markers are located outside the structures, so visitors can go at any time and visit as many stops as they wish.
For more information about Glenwood’s business district revival, contact Janice Lucas, city commissioner, at (850) 872-3002, or email jlucas@panamacity.gov
For more information about Destination Panama City, or how to use the Otocast app, contact Vigil at (850) 215-1700 or jennifer@destinationpanamacity.com
A version of this story was previously published in the Panama City News Herald
