By Mike Simmons
Ever heard of Admiral Mason Park? I have. It’s on the corner of 9th Avenue and Bayfront Pkwy. It’s also known as “Veteran’s Memorial Park.” When I was a boy, I remember that my little league baseball team used to practice there. At that time, it was located between Aragon Court (where a lot of my baseball team members lived) and the old abandoned Pensacola Fliers baseball stadium.
He was born January 12, 1891 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In 1908, he was accepted into the U. S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1912. He first came to Pensacola in 1916 and became Naval Aviator #52 the following year. It was then that he met and married Ralphine Fisher. He served on the Armistice Commission in Germany before commanding the first seaplane squadron in World War I. The couple happily returned to Pensacola when he was assigned as Superintendent of Naval Aviation. Later, he served on the first aircraft carrier in history—the U. S. S. Langley. It was there that he made the first night takeoff and the first catapult launching. He was there when WWII began—Pearl Harbor. As a captain in 1942, he took command of the U. S. S. Hornet. At the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, the Hornet was sunk—he was the last man to abandon the ship. A hero in that battle, he was promoted to Rear Admiral. After 38 years in the U. S. Navy, he retired in 1946. It was then that Rear Admiral Charles P. Mason and his wife came home to Pensacola forever. Admiral Mason was chosen Mayor in 1947 and served until 1957 when the Florida legislature gave him the title of Honorary Mayor for Life. He died in 1971.
On February 13, 1953, officers of the police department stood for their annual inspection by Mayor C. P. Mason, who felt an annual inspection was good for discipline and morale.
Below are photos from another annual inspection.
