J. Earle Bowden

One of the many editorial cartoons created by J. Earle Bowden in support of the national seashore.

Cartoon by J. Earle Bowden courtesy of the University of West Florida Collection

Quick Facts

Significance:

Considered the "Father" of Gulf Islands National Seashore

Place of Birth:

Altha, Florida

Date of Birth:

September 12, 1928

Place of Death:

Pensacola, Florida

Date of Death:

February 15, 2015

“The thing I really [am] the proudest of, my crowning achievement, as an editor, was Gulf Islands National Seashore.” – J. Earle Bowden.

Known as the Father of Gulf Islands National Seashore, J. Earle Bowden used his position as editor of the local newspaper to build public support for the preservation of sites of natural and historic value through the creation of a national seashore. Bowden, a native of Northwest Florida, grew up with a fondness for the natural beauty of the area. This evolved into a passion for preservation and conservation.

Inspired by Norman Rockwell, Bowden followed his passion for art to Florida State University. He graduated with a degree in journalism in 1951. Bowden joined the staff of the Pensacola News Journal in 1953 after a stint in the Air Force in Idaho. He began as a sports writer covering the Pensacola minor league baseball team. His cartoons with images of players and coaches helped develop a stronger fanbase. This fanbase continues to support the Pensacola Blue Wahoos today.

In 1965, Bowden became the editor of the editorial page. His stories and editorials included his own political cartoons. Bowden is the only editor to draw his own political cartoons for his editorials. He used his platform to shed light on local preservation and environmental concerns. He once stated, “I always thought that was what an editor was supposed to do. Get out and lead the town.”

One of his first editorials in 1965 focused on protecting Pensacola’s beaches and historic sites. The editorials influenced the powerful Congressman Bob Sikes, who submitted a bill to protect portions of the seashore from further development. Once the bill was introduced, Bowden used his editorials and political cartoons to defend the bill against strong resistance. He convinced the community of the benefits of a national seashore. In six short years, Bowden and the community succeeded in establishing Gulf Islands National Seashore.

J. Earle Bowden used his voice to save not only the natural and historic resources on Santa Rosa Island but also areas and islands from Destin, Florida to Cat Island, Mississippi. He also used it to preserve the history of the city of Pensacola. His passion and influence also helped to establish the Pensacola Historic District in 1969. He also served as a founding member of the Pensacola Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission. For all his efforts, in 1984, he earned the title of Florida Preservationist of the Year from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.

J. Earle Bowden’s legacy endures throughout Pensacola and Santa Rosa Island. The portion of Highway 399 which runs through Gulf Islands National Seashore, bears his name. The city of Pensacola erected a statue of him in the J. Earle Bowden Plaza, the former site of the Pensacola News Journal building. Yet, his greatest legacy remains Gulf Islands National Seashore.