John Gaynor Green / Pensacola Beach / 1977
You might call this era “Pensacola’s Glory Days” – when Pickens Point and The Bay broke regularly. It didn’t really matter how sloppy the main beaches were if the wind was out of the east/southeast/ or even south, because you could simply drive to the point. If it wasn’t good, you could usually wait for the tide to switch a bit, and it would get good.
This was taken right where the point and the bay met. Joey Dillard most likely took it.

Here’s a great explanation of what happened to our Point, by William Fisher IV:
“According to the Corps of Engineers I spoke to a few years ago, the Navy regularly dredged the pass close to Ft. Pickens and well out into gulf for the aircraft carrier USS Lexington. When the Lex left they reverted to maritime dredging the center of pass. The golden era break was man made and won’t return unless the Navy dredges again for another large carrier. The Navy has continuing authority to dredge for national security, so I guess there is slim hope for a return of the point and bay, but don’t hold your breath.”
William Fisher IV