Panama City Beach remembers . . .

By William E. Males

Panama City Beach, St Andrews and the whole Emerald Coast rich with history, has created a lot of great memories, photos and even articles (hehehe) throughout the years. And like everything else, they too have seen many, many things come and go. Nevertheless, while certain things may go away, either from neglect, abandonment, or from simply exhausting the popularity which was once enjoyed for limited era, it is certain that somewhere there are people still enjoying the fond memories they have from a not too distant place in time and space.

Perhaps, that is why we have such a fascination with old art, libraries, museums, photography and even the occasional “Remember when?” kinda articles.  I am personally persuaded that just as we have so many people eagerly looking forward into the future with anticipation, that we have just as many who enjoy looking back to reflect on the not too distant past. The more mature I become (not older) the more convinced I become that’s just the simple and natural order of things. We came into the world with nothing with all life’s opportunities, challenges and experiences yet before us to be seen, heard, touched, embraced and overcome. Therefore when we are vibrant with youthful excitement and energy could we be anything else except focused on the present and looking towards that which life has yet to offer? We start off with a clean mental diary with seemingly endless blank pages to fill up with fresh new daily experiences to wake up to. Now, I know not all life’s experiences are favorable, and sometimes life just isn’t fair, but that is no reason not to live it nonetheless. Every day is another opportunity to go experience and learn new things, meet new faces and create life long bonds and friendships.

Yes, one could say our lives are ongoing documentaries, living journals that record in their pages all the cherished times of the past, moments of excitement and thrills, as well as those memories of hard times of uncertainty and sadness at the loss of people and things that pass through and met along each of our unique life paths, each of us filled with familiarities, attachments and affections to the past. Before long, all of us realize that the wave of the present is carrying us towards the final breaking on life’s shore when we too will drift back out into the sea and into the past. We begin to recognize how much we can now enjoy and cherish our memories and eagerly share them with those still rising to the crest of their own wave.

We have an appreciation for the past since it will never change, and those who are wise enough from reflecting upon it are better prepared for moments yet to come. The faint echoes and reflections which once delighted and amused us in the past can still bring a smile to our faces even today, just as yesterday’s thrills and excitement still causes our eyes to sparkle with the hint of the youth that once peered excitedly at prospects before them.

That is why we keep our dairies and love our journals, cameras and even youtube, because we are keeping an avenue whereby we can go back to that certain place and time which grows ever fonder with each passing year. Those records in print and film and digital format will continue to serve us well in into the future when this here present time is but a distant past. It is the wisdom that comes with time that taught us to preserve the variety of sources that we have to look back and reflect on the tears of both sorrow and joy, and commune with the exhilaration once shared with family and friends in our ever increasing record of our younger times.

Well one of the fond memories of local residents and the many tourists of Panama City Beach is of the old Miracle Strip Amusement Park. For over forty years people were visiting and coming back again and again with their own kids and grandkids. It was, in fact, one the greatest places around to go with the family and spend the day. This was more than just an amusement park; it was a treasury maker of golden memories shared and cherished by family generations.

Here at the park was the wildest and most exciting ride in the whole state of Florida at one time, as well as the only seaside Gulf Coast wooden rollercoaster. The Starliner rollercoaster ran nearly the length of the park carrying excited passengers along with the roaring thunder of its wheels on the rails. Throughout the whole park the loud screams of thrilled riders could be heard. Back in its day, with towering its height of 70 feet, the Starliner was a sightseeing experience being the highest lookout around, then that plunge of 65 feet into a series of hills and reaching a speed of 55 miles an hour truly seemed to be a true death defying experience. Just like the bigger and faster G-force pulling high tech rides elsewhere, this ride had its constant line of people going back again and again for more. At one time it even held an American Coaster Enthusiasts "Coaster Classic" designation.

Miracle Strip Amusement Park was well maintained and attractively decorated with landscaping. As the park and its guests grew older together, accommodations where added for those now bringing their kids for the experience that once  caused them to scream  and shout excitedly as they plunged Starliner’s rails  and curves. Now there were benches and covered swings for the parents and grandparents while the whole place stayed full of activity with crowds of kids running to their next ride.

For many, their first spooky ride was through The Haunted Castle. As the passengers sat in their cars they rolled, bumped and shook snaking their way through the dark corridors with creaky sounds and noises and dim black light as they were repeatedly startled by flashing lights revealing another monster hidden in the dark spaces. This was a great, old fashioned ride that would again and again cause the riders to both scream and laugh.

Another great favorite was The Abominable Snowman who was this huge figurine and you entered his igloo by passing under his legs. Inside was one of the old scrambler rides that whirl you around and slid everyone to one side squeezing the outside passenger. The strobe light flashed and the loud sound system pounded out its rhythm, enhancing the experience. One thing that everyone will remember for sure about this ride was the nice cool air conditioning. Back in the day that was a rarity and it alone was worth three or four rides a day. There was also Dante's Inferno and the Dungeon, with a Tilt-a-whirl complete with webs painted on the walls inside a funky yellow dome next door to the Spider, as well as the famous Carousel that is now relocated at Pier Park.

 As the saying goes, “Out with the old and in with the new,” but remember - there was never anything old that wasn’t once new. Today Miracle Strip Amusement Park may be closed but the memories are alive and still today Panama City is filled with amusement parks and miniature golf courses and multileveled go cart tracks that spiral around, and all are offering a chance to make more memories for the people visiting the area. Word even has it that Pier Park people have a few more ideas up their sleeves to make it even better than it is now, which is about as hard to believe as a 100 foot drop rollercoaster might have been back in the day. Nonetheless, there is still a lifetime full of fun and memories still to be made and recorded one way or another here in Panama City Beach. So, the best thing you can do is bring the cameras and the camcorders and do your part in preserving those memories that will someday be golden.

One day when I have more time I’ll tell ya’ll about how good it all was when I was a kid . . . after I finish growing up.