Area History:

The land area covered by our three counties was originally two counties - Walton and Santa Rosa. These two counties were later split to form the new county of Okaloosa, sandwiched in the middle of the three. A western portion of Walton County and an eastern portion of Santa Rosa County were combined to form Okaloosa. For this reason, a lot of the history of one county is the basis for the history of the other.

In early days, residents needing to take care of business at either the county seat in Milton (Santa Rosa County) or DeFuniak Springs (Walton County) would have to travel about 70 miles over poor roads. It was decided that the only solution would be to establish another county inbetween the two and after several years, in 1915, the Florida legislature approved the creation of Okaloosa County.

Walton County:
Like so many other states, Florida's early history starts with its Native American settlers. In Walton County, the Euchee Indians established tribal communities around Bruce Creek. The significance of the name “Euchee” (also known as Yuchi) has not been verified by historians, but Speck (1909) claimed it to be derived from a native word meaning “those far away” or “at a distance”.

Some ethnohistorians believe the Euchee are the supposed indigenous aborigines of the Gulf region. This may be partly because, this group of natives, to a degree, remained separate from the other tribal groups; and partly because of their unique language that does not connect with the languages of the more widely known Southeastern tribal languages. In fact, it is distinct from all other Native American languages. It is estimated that only five fluent speakers of the Euchee language are alive today - and they are all over 75 years old! Saving a Language

Some of the more romantically inclined historians hold that the Euchees were possibly descended from the Aztec peoples. They present the theory that, well before any Native American tribes moved south from the middle section of the United States, Aztecs came into the area from the “west” sailing along the Gulf's shores until reaching the section of coastline that, today, is the beaches of South Walton. They then moved inland via the many rivers in the area.

Though their origin is still debated today, it is certain that the Euchee were descended from the mound-building people and, therefore, are among the oldest recognized peoples of the southeast. Whatever their origin, they eventually established themselves in Walton County not far from the Choctawhatchee River and continued to live there until some time before 1761, after which, they moved to the Upper Creeks in Alabama. Today, Eucheeanna in Walton County carries their name. It is believed they knew a lot about conservation and practiced many of the same methods considered good agricultural and forestry husbandry today.

During the 1700s, Scottish settlers moved into Walton County, as can be seen throughout the old cemeteries of the region, where gravestones hold names like McLean, McLeod, and McKenzie (See Walton County Church & Cemetery Records). Shortly upon their arrival, they befriended the Euchees.

Unfamiliar with the demands of settling a semi-tropical area distinct from their Carolina homestead, these settlers were eager to learn the Euchee ways. It is believed this tribe taught them the judicious use of control burns, enough to restrict the panhandle's jungle-like growth but not so much that the resources of vegetation which fed the animals would be destroyed. The farmers learned to grow crops in a manner that would conserve water.

They taught them the ideal hunting times to not disturb the breeding season. The Euchee people seemingly felt they had to take care of the environment and not be wasteful. This thoughtful treatment of the environment handed on to later generations a wealth of nature, fortunately still preserved today.

One of the Scottish pioneers, Neill McLennin (a.k.a. McLendon elsewhere), left the family homestead in North Carolina in 1820. Arriving in Walton County, he settled around the Yellow River, which was the principal waterway at the time. He wrote back to his family, “Come, I have found a land teeming with production, abounding in game and good grazing... The woods are full of all sorts of grasses and berries... There is no better stock country to be found. Water pure and plenty and nothing to create sickness.”

Later in the 1800s, timbering became a part of the settler's way of life, and as the population expanded, so did the need to recognize the area as a county. Walton County was officially created in 1824. It was named after George Walton who was Secretary of the Florida territory between 1821 and 1826. The area's pine tree became the main source of wealth to residents in the form of timbering and turpentine stills. Railroads were built to transport goods to distant markets.

DeFuniak Springs, the Walton County seat, was named after the L & N Railroad's chief engineer, Frederick DeFuniak. The community had originally been called Open Pond for the naturally round lake at its center. This is one of the only two almost perfectly round lakes in the country.

During the early 1900's, because of the lake and the community's deepwater spring, it became a health resort known “as a city of culture and hospitality”. Defuniak Springs, even in current times, still displays the area's history in its picture-book-perfect preservation of the Victorian homes around the lake decked in fluted columns and gingerbread trim from a time when labor and materials were plentiful. The community was chosen as a winter home for the New York Chautauqua, a tradition kept alive even now when each year the town offers its hospitality to the Chautauqua Festival in spring.

The Chautauqua Festival >>

A historical point of interest is the Walton-Defuniak Library, the oldest library in Florida still in operation. Two other historical sites are the Murray Theater, now renovated to its original splendor, the Hotel DeFuniak, and the Chautauqua Winery, Florida's largest winery.

City of DeFuniak Springs >>

Okaloosa County:

The origin of this county's name is still debated today, and, for the most part, falls into two groups. One group of historians claim Okaloosa County's name is derived from the Choctaw Indian words oka (water) and lusa (black). Another group of scholars claim it to be derived from Euchee words meaning “a pleasant place” or “beautiful place”.

Ask Okaloosa residents which they think it is and they will claim both. Yes, a huge portion of the Blackwater River flows through this county. And, residents and visitors can't help but notice how many places and sites are named after the Choctaw Indians, from Choctawhatchee Bay to the area's high school. Yet, as they also will tell you, this is a beautiful place to live.

Moreover, since the Euchees were mound builders, what they failed to leave preserved in namesakes, they left in their many examples of perfectly formed mounds seen still today. One of the largest mounds houses one of the area's favorite family attractions, a complete museum within its core.

The Indian Temple Mound Museum >>

Photos >>

Recognizing the impact area tribes played in Okaloosa s history, each year the county hosts Musical Echoes, a Native American Flute and Cultural Festival. In 2007, for the first time, the festival became part of the Muscogee Nation of Florida

Musical Echoes >>

However, Okaloosa County's history is not only in its Indian settlement. The area also played a big role in the commerce of pirates sailing the Gulf of Mexico's waters. Our area's numerous narrow bayous with their steep shorelines were ideal for mooring and raising a ship's keel for cleaning. The infamous pirate LaFitte was said to have as his mooring of choice a cove near Mary Esther.

History along the coastline was somewhat different. Spanish surveyor Don Francisco Tapia was commissioned to chart the Florida coast as early as 1693. He drew the first known map of Destin's East Pass and its neighboring shores. Mary Esther, the Fort Walton Beach metro area and the Destin/Sandestin are Okaloosa's main coastal communities. Because of their easy access for docking, they played a big part in the county's history.

Destin's modern history as “The Luckiest Fishing Village” is attributed to Captain Leonard Destin, a fisherman who moved from Connecticut to the area in 1845. He played an influential part in the start of Destin's fishing industry. “The Luckiest Fishing Village” >>

Originally Fort Walton Beach was called “Camp Walton” when it served as a Confederate installation in 1861 to guard “The Narrows”, today's East Pass. For the most part, the area played a small part in the Civil War. There were some small skirmishes; but, for the most part, the camp was maintained as a resource for food and men for the Confederate effort. The men who served at this camp were called the “Walton Guards”. City of Fort Walton Beach >>

Two industries brought growth to the area during the 1800's: lumbering and naval stores. Starting as early as the 1870s, turpentine stills could be found dotting the county's “piney” woods and crews of workers slashed the tall Southern pine for their raw materials they contributed to paints, chemicals, and medicines. Lumbering also flourished in Okaloosa's densely forested area as a nation demanded more pine for building. Crestview, the county seat, holds the nickname “Hub City” as a result of its history as an important trade center in the late 1800s. City of Crestview >>

The third industry that played a big part in Okaloosa County was its fishing industry. The twin cities of Niceville and Valparaiso grew from a 19th century fishing village originally named Boggy after the local bog terrain of its bayous. Twin Cities >>

In 1933, James E. Plew, a local Valparaiso businessman and airplane buff leased 137 acres to the U.S. government. A year later he donated 1460 additional acres for a bombing and gunnery range. This started a major shift in Okaloosa's history. Where fishing and lumbering had been the bulk of the county's commerce, the county now saw a turn to the military as a major economic base. This generous land donation became the foundation for today's Eglin Air Force Base. Eglin Air Force Base >>

Eglin Air Force base was officially established around 1935 and later, during World War II, it played a big part in the war effort as a principal gunnery testing range. It was also the site selected for Doolittle's Raiders to rehearse flights in preparation for their mission over Tokyo.

Santa Rosa County:

Our third county was established in 1842. It took its name from Santa Rosa Island, named after Rosa de Viterbo, a Roman Catholic Saint. Major cities include Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, Navarre and Pace. Because of its location as second most westward county in the state, it lies close to the city of Pensacola in Escambia County, and is but a couple hours' drive from Mobile. This places it close to an area heavily impacted by the Spanish settlers, and this is evident in Santa Rosa's history. Navarre Area >>

Spaniards first set foot on this part of Florida in 1559, when Tristan de Luna arrived in Pensacola Bay with 500 soldiers. This settlement was shortly abandoned.

The next effort to colonize the area did not take place until the 1690's when Adreas D'Arriola built Fort San Carlos on Santa Rosa Island on the site which now holds Fort Barrancas. Because of the strategic position of this harbor, the island has had a history of periodic changes in sovereighnity as the Spanish vied with the French from Mobile and New Orleans for its ownership papers.

This back and forth domination was interrupted with the Treaty of Paris in 1763 when the English were given possesion of the area. Nearby Pensacola was named Town Point and became the center of Panton, Leslie & Company s thriving Indian trade. But, this also was for a short time. Not twenty years later the area was once again captured by the Spanish. Today, Pensacola celebrates the Fiesta of Five Flags annually in recognition of its history as a city over which five different flags flew (the Spanish, French, British, Confederate, and American) Festival of Five Flags >>

The Confederate flag flew over the area for a brief time, but Fort Pickens was used by the North in the Civil War to fight the Confederates at Fort McRee across the pass in Pensacola. This same fort later became famous as the fort that held Geronimo and his band from 1886-1888.

Our Gulf Coast Treasure:

There is no doubt that our three Gulf Coast counties house a world of natural treasures, a rich history, a wealth of resources preserved for the future, and a climate that is an asset. However, if it is not the call of golden sunshine that would draw you to our area, but rather the call of golden treasure, you too will love this area.

Because of our rich historical past populated with pirates, conquistadors and trading ships, our area offers the possibility of shipwreck treasure, as a result of its local history. In Gulf Breeze, there is an English shipwreck dating from around the late mid to late 1700's. It has not been identified, but some believe it to be one of three. In which case, there may still be two more undiscovered in the nearby gulf waters.

Florida's Historical Photo Collection

Florida's Underwater Archeological Preserves