Settled by treaty, Spain ceded the Florida territory to the United States in 1821. Soon after many Floridians hoped for statehood and St. Joseph, a Gulf Coast community, was selected as the site of the Florida Constitutional Convention. Delegates hammered out a constitutional framework in 1839, submitting it to the U. S. Congress for approval. Six years later Florida was admitted to the Union.
   By 1840, it was clear to a dwindling population that boom town of St Joseph could no longer compete with neighboring Apalachicola. An epidemic of yellow fever further reduced the town's population of 6000 to 400 and many of the deserted homes were dismantled and shipped to Apalachicola. A few old homes survive to this day as well as the Saint Joseph Cemetery. One of three cemeteries in the city, Saint Joseph Cemetery holds many graves of those stricken with yellow fever in 1841. The dreaded disease was brought in from the Greater Antilles, claiming statesmen, journalists, and merchants as well as ordinary residents.
   The port city of old St. Joseph thrived for a very short time during the late 1830s. Shipyard Cove was a site where ships were hauled out on a railway for hull repairs and maintenance. After the town's downturn, Fred Maddox acquired the Shipyard Cove property from the St Joe Dock and Terminal Company. The lovable Captain Fred and Miss Zola enjoyed their three acre homestead for the remainder of their lives. Today, part of a city park, the refurbished Maddox home is offered for overnight stays. The park also houses the Gulf County Chamber of Commerce and features a shoreline walking trail, educational wetlands nature area, boat ramp and beach. Nearby the Chamber, lighthouse fans will enjoy a look at the Cape San Blas Light Station. Moved from out on the St. Joe Peninsula, the lighthouse and keeper's dwellings make up the main feature at George Core Park. Built more than 130 years ago, the lighthouse guided ships into St. Joseph Bay. Moved into place in 2014, the lighthouse offers panoramic views of the bay, the Gulf and the surrounding city. Adjacent the park is Port St. Joe Marina, a modern facility offering 120 wet slips, dry storage and a seafood restaurant. Today, Port St. Joe thrives on nature-based tourism and the rich resources of St. Joseph Bay.

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