The bridge from Panama City to Panama City Beach is named after Dr. Fons A. Hathaway. He served as Director of the Dept of Transportation when the Gulf Coast Highway was funded and completed across the Florida panhandle. Dr. Hathaway was attending a banquet of the Gulf Coast Highway Association when he graciously declined having the bridge named after him. Judge Ira Hutchison relates the story in his book, “Some Who Passed This Way.” Hathaway ran for the Florida Governor’s office in 1928, but lost the election.
