In 1844, he invented a mechanical refrigeration device to produce ice. Though primitive, his design was a precursor to modern air conditioning and refrigeration. While Gorrie struggled to gain recognition during his lifetime, he is now celebrated as the father of air conditioning, and Apalachicola honors him with the John Gorrie Museum State Park.
Civil War and Decline of the Cotton Port
The Civil War (1861–1865) marked the end of Apalachicola’s dominance in the cotton trade. Union naval blockades of the Gulf Coast disrupted shipping, and the Confederacy diverted resources elsewhere. Though the town was occupied by Union forces for much of the war, little actual fighting occurred there.
After the war, the cotton economy never fully recovered. Railroads, which expanded across the South in the late 19th century, diverted trade away from river ports like Apalachicola. Cotton increasingly bypassed the river system and went by rail directly to larger cities.
By the late 1800s, Apalachicola’s role as a major cotton port had faded. However, the town reinvented itself through another resource: the sea.
The Rise of Oysters and Seafood
Following the decline of cotton, oysters, sponges, and seafood became the backbone of Apalachicola’s economy. The estuary formed by the Apalachicola River and Bay proved to be one of the most productive in North America.
By the late 19th century, oyster harvesting had become a thriving industry. Families tonged oysters from shallow waters, and processing houses lined the waterfront. Oysters from Apalachicola gained a national reputation for quality, shipped by rail and later truck across the United States.
The community also engaged in sponge diving, shrimping, and commercial fishing. Boats filled the bay, while downtown Apalachicola bustled with canneries, warehouses, and seafood markets. shutdown123