Merchant

Private citizens were not the only people to utilize the local newspaper. The Escambia County Court issued notices of public auction. In this instance, a house on the corner of Palafox and Intendencia Streets is up for sale at the Court House. Using maps and historic ads to locate a building, like the Court House, can be difficult. An advertisement for a hotel on Bailen Street placed in the December 31, 1821 edition of The Floridian stated it was located across from the Court House, indicating the court house was near Bailen Street. According to an 1827 map, however, the Court House and Jail was at the end of Tarragona Street in the Public Square - today’s Museum of Commerce. By the time this 1826 ad was published, it is possible the court house moved to this new location. Perhaps the error lies with the newspaper or with the map maker instead and the Court House did not move at all!