Extraordinary leader in forestry, lumbering and business; civic leader and benefactor to many causes;

Pace, Florida and Pace Boulevard were named after him.

(This information was submitted by Ashley D. Pace, Jr. (Dick), grandson of James G. Pace.)

James G. Pace was born in 1867 and was raised in south Georgia. He married Caroline Ashley in 1890, and had four children: H. Burgess, Myrtice, Ashley D. and John C. Pace. Caroline died in 1901. He moved to the Pensacola area about 1902, and bought a large tract of timberland (approximately.100,000 acres) in Santa Rosa County from a Mr. Skinner. Later, he married Winona Rabb, and had five children: Mary Catherine, Virginia, James G., Jr., Winona, and Frances. He founded the community of Pace, east of Pensacola, where he established his sawmill.

In the late 1920’s, Mr. Pace was sent to France by the U. S. Government to study modern forestry techniques. This led him to stop further cutting and undertake reforestation on his land. By the late 1930’s, this timberland was the foundation of the Pensacola paper mill, now the International Paper Company. He was also engaged in farming, banking.

During World War I some of the local banks failed. A British lumber broker was unable to cover his drafts, and the bank became insolvent. The American National. Bank was allowed to re-open when Mr. Pace pledged his entire personal assets to restore its solvency. He was temporary president of the bank for about a year. After things were back to normal, he stepped aside and turned it over to the permanent officers.

He was an avid international traveler, visiting destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.

In addition to the nearby town of Pace, Florida, also named for him are Pace Boulevard and the Pace Temple CME Episcopal Church, both in Pensacola. The Pace Temple CME Church was named for him because, when he lent them the money to build it, Mr. Pace was so impressed by the faithful way they made the early payments that he cancelled all the remaining ones and tore up the mortgage. He was known to be a very sharp and capable businessman, but “with a very good heart.”

He died in1948 and was buried in St. John’s Historic Cemetery 4 North, Section 55, Lot 7.