The History of Lynn Haven, Florida

W.H. Lynn was a Senator from the state of New York and publisher of the 'Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) National Tribune'. With an aging forum in the readers of his publication, Lynn saw an opportunity to help his fellow veterans and himself. Lynn pushed the idea of selecting sites in Florida for retirement communities for Union Army Civil War veterans. Encouraged by New York shipping tycoon Minor C. Keith, who had recently purchased vast acreage where Lynn Haven is now located, Lynn planned the communities of St. Cloud and Lynn Haven Florida. He formed the St. Andrews Bay Development Company to develop and market the new communities.

The Keith property was surveyed by W. H. Parker who divided the community into numbered streets running east and west, and avenues named for various states running north and south. The 50'x50' lots sold for $150.00 dollars each and included a five acre tract of land outside of town. Lynn advertised and promoted the communities heavily in his publication and sales started to boom. Property was sold through a lottery with the lots offered spread throughout the community. In this way all areas developed at about the same rate.

The citizens of Lynn Haven allocated land on Ohio Ave. near the St. Andrews Bay for public gatherings. The first event in this park, known as Temple Grove, was Memorial Day 1911. Captain J.W. Mitchell, Commander of the Spanish American War veterans, was the featured speaker. At the time Lynn Haven had no cemetery so at the end of the service flowers were scattered on the water of the bay.

On September 10, 1911 the Lynn Haven post office was approved. Later that same month, land donated by the St. Andrews Bay Development Company, was dedicated by the women of the GAR as Oakland Cemetery. The northeast corner of the cemetery was reserved for veterans of both the Civil War and the Spanish American War.

Over the next two years Lynn Haven continued to boom. The veterans provided schools for children and educational opportunities for all its citizens. In 1913 both Lynn Haven and Bay County charters were approved. That same year the W.H. Lynn company donated land to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic. The donation included several lots between 8th and 9th streets and Georgia Ave. A GAR hall was built on the site, as well as a statue to honor Union Soldiers (the only statue to a Union soldier in the south).

On July 1, 1914 the Lynn Haven charter became effective. Three days later it held its first Fourth of July celebration. The celebration included patriotic music performed by the Lynn Haven Band. Union soldiers wearing their uniforms passed out American flags to the children. Mayor J.H. Drummond of St. Andrews (now part of Panama City) and town founder W.H. Lynn were the featured speakers. The celebration continued all day and included flag raisings, boat rides, dancing, and the grand opening of the Alvin Theater. By far the highlight of this first celebration was the ceremonial switching on of electricity. The Fourth of July celebrations have continued to grow every year, and now Lynn Haven has the largest celebration in Bay County. Every year there is a flag raising followed by a large parade in the morning, events throughout the day including entertainment, arts and crafts, and fireworks after dark.

By 1915 the viability of Lynn Haven came into question. Many of the founding settlers had begun to die and the population started to fall. The bank failed and two years later the St. Andrews Bay Company went into receivership. Lynn turned his attention to other interests and Lynn Haven was left to fend for itself.

Through the conscientious efforts of the citizens Lynn Haven survived and began to grow again. In 1927 the Florida Legislature amended the Lynn Haven charter and it became a city. The next year, the present City Hall was built.

In 1950 the charter was amended again to allow for a City Manager form of government. Lee Curtis was the first manager, followed by Billy Kinsaul who held the position for many years.

Lynn Haven has maintained its small town appeal and is a great place to live. It is home to a thriving business community, which include Trane, Schwinco, IPSO, Allied Bendix and Sallie Mae.

There are seven city parks with playgrounds and sports facilities. A new golf course with a nature walk. The city has completed a 60-acre sports complex that is one of the finest in the area. The complex has well maintained baseball/softball fields, indoor basketball and volleyball, and a weight room. Lynn Haven is today a strong and growing community of over 12,000.