Sweet Tea Murders: Old Pensacola Murder Walk
Crimes Around the Plaza
Hi. My name is Michael Earl Simmons. I am a retired sergeant with the Pensacola Police Department, and part of my career was spent investigating homicides — right here in our town.
These days, I serve as the director of the training center where law enforcement academies are held, and I spend a lot of time as a law enforcement historian. That is where my real passion comes in: storytelling.
And Pensacola has given me plenty to work with.
Join me on Thursday, July 9, 2026, for a Sweet Tea Murders walking tour called “Old Pensacola Murder Walk: Crimes Around the Plaza.”
We will begin at 6:00 PM at the Plaza Ferdinand fountain, and I will share five unforgettable stories about real people, real crimes, and real murders that happened around the Plaza between 1833 and 1914.
You will hear about a very unusual hanging in 1900, a courthouse shooting that shocked Pensacola, the murder of one of our mayors, and several other stories that prove Old Pensacola was not nearly as well-behaved as it looks in the postcards.
Now, let’s address the obvious question.
Will it be hot?
Yes. Of course it will be hot. It is Pensacola. In July. We are not going to pretend otherwise.
But the tour starts in the evening, when things are cooling down, and the walking distance is less than half a mile. Apparently, if people were going to commit fascinating murders in Old Pensacola, they were considerate enough to do it close together.
Water will be available.
So come expecting history, mystery, murder, and stories that may be hotter than the weather.
For tickets and more details, visit:
https://sweetteamurders.com/event/sweet-tea-murders-walking-tour-crimes-around-the-plaza/
See you there!
Michael Earl Simmons
Sweet Tea Murders
