In 1949 Paul and Margaret Benedict bought a beachfront lot for $1,750 from Seagrove founder Cube McGee Sr, on which McGee built a concrete block cottage for them in 1951. The Benedicts bought 300 feet more gulf front property from McGee in 1952 for $15,000, on which four duplexes were built. The Benedicts named the motel Seagrove Manor. They then added a coffee shop because they were so far from everything and their guests needed a place to eat. They served breakfast and sandwiches and later included seafood and steaks.
The Benedicts sold the motel and coffee shop to T.E. Lord in 1967, but Lord didn’t keep the coffee shop operational.
Undated article by Deborah Wheeler in the Northwest Florida Daily News
The undated postcard below is courtesy of Brian R. Rucker, Ph.D. The undated photo of Seagrove Manor, which was owned by Alice and Marvin Carroll of Panama City Beach, is from an album by Steve Sobczuk. If you have memories of Seagrove Manor, please share them in the comment section!