Jason Wenzel, Ph.D.

My name is Jason Wenzel and I am pursuing study in the graduate certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS) at the University of West Florida. I am employed as a professor of anthropology and sociology at Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) in Panama City, Florida. I earned a Ph.D. in Anthropology with a specialization in Historical Archaeology from the University of Florida in 2018.

I have had a fascination with maps going back to my childhood. One of the fond memories I have is of the "Official Map of CRUNCH ISLAND" that came in specially marked boxes of Captain Crunch cereal in the early 1980s. While Captain Crunch was not one of my favorite cereals, I remember asking my mom to buy a box from the grocery just so I could have a copy of the map that I recalled from the company's television commercials.

I currently reside on the eastern end of Panama City Beach, which is the community I have spent my childhood in. For one of my Intro to GIS labs (GIS 5050), I collected geospatial data on beach access points, including the one closest to my house, Beach Access 12/Crescent Dr.

At the University of Florida, I completed one GIS course, Research in GIS, (GIS 5107, Spring 2010). For my class project, I conducted a geospatial analysis of the Old Oakland African American Cemetery (8OR9567), in Oakland, Florida. Oakland is a community located approximately 10 miles to the west from Orlando. This cemetery, initially established in the late 19th century, served as the town's main cemetery for its African-American residents until around the 1950s, when a new cemetery was established to the east. Over the next few decades, visitation had stopped at the cemetery and it fell into neglect with severe vegetative overgrowth. Around the start of the 21st century, the cemetery was "rediscovered" during a cultural resource management (CRM) survey of the area for a Florida Turnpike expansion project. Following the work of various archaeological firms at the cemetery over the next decade, I collected geospatial data on the distribution of grave markers and grave artifacts at the site in relation to the area's topographical features.

From my project, I had an article published in the Journal of Florida Studies,  Seeking Glory in the Land of Demise: An Exploration of the Old Oakland African American Cemetery 

My current research focus is in an area of Panama City called "Old Town" which is believed to be where the original town of St. Andrews, founded in 1827, existed until its destruction during the U.S. Civil War in 1863. The cover image on this story map shows a close-up of this area on the 1855 U.S. Coastal Survey Map. My project team consists of students enrolled in my current Introduction to Archaeology class (ANT 2100) at GCSC, as well as members of our college's anthropology club, along with members of the charter Bay County Anthropological Society. Our research partners include the Panama City Publishing Company Museum and the Historical Society of Bay County. Upon completion of field and laboratory work, one of our goals for the project is to curate an exhibit of artifacts at our local museums in recognition of the bicentennial founding of St. Andrews in 2027.

In Spring of 2022, I started an archaeological survey of the C. West House Archaeological site with my team. This is the current residence of Mr. Buddy West, the great-great grandson of one of Panama City's founders and earliest residents, George Mortimer West. Work resumed in early Spring 2023 and we are currently closing out our Phase I survey of the property.

In Spring of 2023 we began work at a new site, two doors down from the C. West House. This is the original property and home settled by George Mortimer West in 1887. In addition to the West family, we believe that this is the location of the first modern settler's house in today's St. Andrews, John Clark, who lived here until he and his wife and two children died from yellow fever in 1832. After that time, it is believe the home served as the town's tavern and inn until its destruction in 1863. Today, this property is owned by Ray and Mila Bentz, who have graciously extended an invitation to my team to investigate their property.

In addition to the recognition of the historic-period settlements in St. Andrews and Panama City, it is important to acknowledge the area's Indigenous history. The image below shows pottery sherds located locally by G.M. West. My research project also explores the cultural history and lives of pre-Columbian peoples in the area.