What’s In A Name?

Five Flags Web Solutions is now Bit-Wizards Small Business Solutions.  But for years, we were busy fielding questions about the Five Flags name.

For those not familiar with the Pensacola area, Five Flags might seem like just one short of an amusement park. Five Flags Web Solutions began in Pensacola but was forced to relocate after Hurricane Ivan hit in 2004. Now located in Fort Walton Beach (about 39 miles west of Pensacola), we still cherish the heritage of America’s oldest settlement. And you thought St. Augustine, Florida was the oldest. (St. Augustine was founded 6 years after Pensacola, but remained a permanent settlement whereas Pensacola was abandoned after a couple of years due to a horrible hurricane. Pensacola became a permanent settlement in 1696.)

Pensacola is nicknamed “The City of Five Flags” as there have been flags from five different nations flown over it during its history. Flags from Spain, France, Great Britain, the Confederate States of America and the United States have flown over the city at one point in time. Because of its location and many hurricanes, control over the city passed back and forth between the Spanish and French more than once.

Downtown Pensacola is rich with American history and much of it has been preserved for future generations. Pensacola is the home to the United States Navy Blue Angels, the National Museum of Naval Aviation and hot summer nights that are great for cruising to the beach with the top down.