Apalachicola, Port town on Florida's Gulf Coast, United States.
Apalachicola sits at the mouth of the Apalachicola River on Florida's Gulf Coast and contains a historic downtown with about 900 preserved buildings from the 1830s. The streets in the center run in a grid parallel to the river and bay, lined with brick structures and wooden houses in 19th-century style.
A Spanish fort was built here in 1705 before the present town took shape in the 1830s. During the 19th century the place grew into the third largest port on the Gulf of Mexico, mainly through exports of cotton and timber from the interior.
Dixie Theatre from 1912 was renovated in the 1990s and presents professional shows year-round in this coastal town. The building reflects the architectural style from the era when Apalachicola was a major port.
The center can be explored on foot, with most shops and restaurants located within a few streets near the water. Fishing spots and boat docks are easy to reach from downtown, and it is best to visit outside the hottest summer months.
Dr. John Gorrie developed an early ice-making machine here in the 1850s to cool fever patients. His invention later became the foundation for modern refrigeration and air conditioning, and a museum in town recalls his work.
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