Apalachicola
An old cotton-era port where refrigeration was invented.
- Population
- 2,341 (2020 census)
- Named
- 1831
- Oysters
- Once 90% of Florida's harvest
- Tides
- Two highs, two lows a day
Then
- 1705
The Spanish build a fort, the first known settlement here by outsiders.
- 1828–1831
The Town of West Point incorporates in 1828 and is renamed Apalachicola in 1831.
- 1800s
Before railroads, Apalachicola is the third-busiest port on the Gulf, behind New Orleans and Mobile.
- 1850
Physician John Gorrie patents an ice machine, laying the groundwork for refrigeration and air conditioning.
- 1912
The Dixie Theatre opens.
- 2018
With pollution and low river flow, new limits lead to the collapse of the bay's famous oyster industry.
Now
Apalachicola sits where the Apalachicola River meets its bay, sheltered by St. Vincent, St. George and Dog islands. The annual Florida Seafood Festival is held here.
Trinity Episcopal Church, incorporated in 1837, is one of the earliest prefabricated buildings in the United States.
On the water
From NOAA's predictions for Apalachicola, FL over the next 365 days. Heights are in feet above mean lower low water (MLLW).
- Pattern
- Two highs and two lows a day, close in size
- Typical daily range
- 1.7 ft
- Biggest swing
- 2.7 ft on Dec 25
- Smallest swing
- 0.4 ft on May 21
- Highest high
- 2.2 ft, Aug 31 at 3:51 PM
- Lowest low
- −1.1 ft, Jan 21 at 9:47 AM
16 tide stations around Apalachicola
- Apalachicolain town
- Apalachicola River (A&N RR bridge)4.0 mi
- Cat Point, Apalachicola Bay5.8 mi
- White Beach, East Bay6.5 mi
- Huckleberry Landing, Jackson River6.8 mi
- St. George Island, 12th St. W (Bayside)7.2 mi
- St. George Island, Sikes Cut7.9 mi
- Little St. George Island, Horseshoe Cove9.2 mi
- West Pass9.3 mi
- East Bayou, Hwy 65 bridge, East Bay10.2 mi
Show all 16 stations
- Eleven Mile, St. Vincent Sound10.3 mi
- Lake Wimico13.2 mi
- Indian Pass, St. Vincent Sound14.6 mi
- White City, ICWW17.8 mi
- White City, Gulf County Canal19.8 mi
- Port Saint Joe, St. Joseph Bay20.7 mi