Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, America was thrust into a war that it was totally unprepared. The military had to create a navy, air force, and army complete with the munitions and equipment to back them up. Another area badly needed was the protection of the civilian population within the borders of the United States. To this end, the Aircraft Warning Service was created and administrated by the United States Army Air Corps. However, lacking personnel to staff the program, the military turned to local civilian volunteers. To coordinate the program, the Army Air Corps placed its administration under the City Manager Adrian Langford who in turn put the Civil Defense Chairman W. Huxley Carter in charge. Answering to both men was the Chief Air Raid Warden Boswell Cordes (B.C.) Goodman. The Army had neither the manpower or the money to build the required watch towers for the watchmen to use to adequately perform their duties. So, the Civil Defense directors throughout the state incorporated fire towers or any other elevated structure they could lay their hands on. Should enemy aircraft be sighted, the air raid siren was sounded for all civilians to take cover. The military would be notified, so they could respond appropriately. In Pensacola, the air raid siren was placed atop the “water tower” that once upon a time was located just northwest of the intersection at Palafox and Cervantes Street. (See attached photo)
Air raid warden meetings were regularly held at various locations to include the “Boy Scout” Building at Miraflores Park at 1605 East LaRua Street. The building still exists today. Beginning in 1942, the siren was sounded at noon every day to ensure that citizens stayed alert as to its purpose and sound as well as announcing the noontime period. But, by 1944 the progress of the war had reached a point that an enemy attack on the Gulf Coast was highly unlikely. Therefore, City Manager Langford decided to terminate the sounding altogether, never to be heard again in Pensacola!
Few photos exist of the old water tower in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of Palafox and Cervantes Street. The air raid siren was placed atop this tower, one of the highest points in Pensacola.
Pensacola News Journal 11-7-1942
Pensacola News Journal 12-13-1944
Pensacola's Boy Scout Building at Miraflores Park located at 1605 East LaRua Street. Air Raid Warden meetings were held here during WWII.