Crimes Around the Plaza
Historic Pensacola Walking Tours
Walk the streets. Hear the stories. Discover what really happened.
Downtown Pensacola has a way of inviting you to slow down. Live oaks shade the plaza, old buildings hold their place along familiar streets, and the waterfront is never far away. Behind those beautiful surroundings are stories you might never discover on your own.
A mayor murdered. A fugitive hiding in plain sight. A deadly encounter that became tomorrow’s newspaper headline—and, eventually, a forgotten chapter of Pensacola’s past.
Crimes Around the Plaza brings those chapters back to life.
Join Michael Earl Simmons, a retired police sergeant and former homicide detective with nearly thirty years of police service, for a storytelling walk through the streets surrounding historic Plaza Ferdinand. Along the way, you’ll visit locations connected to actual crimes and meet the people whose lives intersected there: victims, suspects, witnesses, and the officers charged with finding the truth.
Each stop reveals the downtown you thought you knew.
Careful historical research gives these stories their foundation. Michael’s investigative experience helps you understand the details—what a witness might have noticed, why an officer made a particular decision, and how a seemingly small fact could change a case. His Southern storytelling style brings you into the moment while keeping the real people at the heart of each story.
Expect suspense, unexpected turns, and a fresh appreciation for Pensacola’s past, presented with respect and without gore or profanity.
Whether you’ve lived here for decades or are visiting for the first time, you’ll leave with stories to remember—and familiar streets will have new meaning.
Gather your group and discover the crimes around the plaza.
Private and group tours are available by request. Contact us to discuss a date and arrange your walk through Pensacola’s past.
Inside an Investigator's Vision
25+
Years of Police Work
1,000+
Vintage Files Examined
150+
Original Stage Productions
Drawing on decades of field work, we deliver the raw realities of the Gulf Coast. Our narratives fuse deep archival study with the sharp focus of a seasoned detective, exposing the enigmas that forged the very soul of historic Pensacola.
Unforgettable Southern Stories for Your Next Gathering
Give your organization a gathering they’ll remember—with carefully researched stories of Southern crime, compelling characters, and surprising turns from the past. Available for historical societies, museums, libraries, retirement communities, civic clubs, and other groups, Michael Earl Simmons combines the insight of a retired police sergeant and former homicide detective with the warmth of a Southern storyteller. His respectful, engaging presentations invite your audience into the story, giving them something to talk about long after the program ends. Contact Michael to discuss a program for your group.
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