Preservation - Division of Historical Resources

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You selected Okaloosa county.

Title: EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE
Location:Eglin Air Force Base
County: Okaloosa
City: Fort Walton Beach
Description: Originally established on June 14, 1935, as Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Range with 1460 acres of land donated by James E. Plew, this site was renamed on August 4, 1937, for Lieutenant Colonel "Frederick I. Eglin, killed in an airplane crash. Eglin Field became a separate opening base August 27, 1940.
Sponsors: Dedicated by Mrs. Charles W. Ruckel, Daughter of James Plew In Cooperation With The United States Air Force And The Department of State

Title: OKALOOSA COUNTY
Location: N. Main Street at south entrance to Courthouse.
County: Okaloosa
City: Crestview
Description: Okaloosa County, created by the Florida State Legislature in 1915, was formed from parts of Santa Rosa and Walton Counties. The influence of W.H. Mapoles, Sr., then a legislative representative from Walton County, was an important factor in the creation of the county. The name chosen for the new county was derived from Indian words variously interpreted as " black water," "pleasant place," or "a place of rest." The first county seat was Milligan, a sawmill town. In 1917, Crestview was selected as the permanent county seat. Okaloosa County's economy is based on agriculture, forestry, and tourism.
Sponsors: Sponsored by Board of County commissioners, Okaloosa County in cooperation with department of state

Title: OKALOOSA COUNTY
Location:U.S. 90 at north entrance to Courthouse.
County: Okaloosa
City: Crestview
Description: Okaloosa is one of the newer counties of northwest Florida. It was created by the State Legislature in 1915 from land taken from Santa Rosa and Walton Counties. The influence of State Senator W.H. Mapoles of Crestview was an important factor in the creation of the county. Okaloosa contains extensive agricultural and forest industries, popular gulf coast fishing and bathing resorts, and important military installations. The county seat is Crestview.

Title: FORT WALTON
Location:on U.S. 98, 1.5 Blocks West of Brooks Bridge
County: Okaloosa
City: Fort Walton Beach
Description: Originally called Camp Walton, this Confederate installation, constructed in 1861 to guard East Pass, was garrisoned by a company of Florida militia called the "Walton Guards". Several small skirmishes with federal landing parties occurred near here. The Camp was abandoned following the Confederate evacuation of Pensacola, and the garrison, a part of the First Florida Infantry Regiment, was assigned to duty on the Tennessee front in early 1862.

Title: DR. BEAL'S SHELL MUSEUM (BEAL HOUSE)
Location:
County: Okaloosa
City: FT. WALTON BEACH
Description: Dr. James Hartley Beal (1861-1945) was an influential pharmacist, chemist, lawyer, educator, and scientist. Despite his busy life, he began collecting shells, finding his first specimen, a micrarock in 1888. The Fort Walton Beach resident bought this house in the early 1900s. An artesian water well and supply system on the property became the start of the towns first water system. The home was used by Dr. Beal as his office and housed his extensive shell collection. By 1940, his collection had grown to be the second largest shell collection in the world. The shells were donated to Rollins College, where they remained on display until 1988. They were then transferred to the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida, Gainesville. The house was extensively remodeled and converted into the Summerhouse Restaurant, which operated there from the 1980s until 2004. It was originally located at 2 Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. The building was slated for demolition in the fall of 2004. In order to save the building, Dr. Beals former Shell Museum was purchased and moved by barge to its present location.
Sponsors: HUBERT ALAN LAIRD AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Title: ALFORDS MILL (SITE OF)
Location:
County: Okaloosa
City: FT. WALTON BEACH
Description: Just prior to 1860, Francis Marion Alford, Sr. selected Limestone Creek for his grist mill. The numerous springs feeding the creek created a good flow of water even during a severe drought. This particular site was chosen for its high banks on both sides of the creek, simplifying the installation of a weir (barrier). Construction was completed probably in early 1864. Soon this site became the focal point of the community. A post office was established as well as a stage coach stop. Alfords Mill is also denoted on Yankee invasion maps. Marion sold the mill in 1883 and the post office was changed from Alfords Mill to Limestone. The mill came back into the Alford family in 1897 when William David (Shug) Alford and his father-in-law, Ace Washington Dannelley, purchased the old mill and converted it into a saw mill. They operated the saw mill until 1904. Many stories have been handed down about how during the last years of the Civil War, many hungry mouths were furnished bread from the Alfords Mill.
Sponsors: THE WALTON COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Title: INDIANOLA INN
Location:
County: Okaloosa
City: Destin
Description: Built in 1912, the Indianola Inn was built on this Indian midden mound. This Inn was the second hotel ever built in the area and burned to the ground in 1962. The steps, foundation parts, and well head have been preserved and left in place. The Civil War Cannon that was unearthed in 1930 was moved to the Indian Temple Mound Museum shortly after the hotel burned. The Inn had been condemned for occupancy several days prior to the 1962 fire and notification to the owners was scheduled for mailing the day after the fire. In 1927 the rate for staying at the Inn was $25.00 per week including all meals, the use of a boat and guest services. The Inns original owners were Mrs. Mary Frances Brooks Pryor and her husband. Mrs. Pryors father, John Thomas Brooks built the first hotel in the area, Brooks House and later sold it leaving the Indianola Inn the only Brooks family hotel. The Indianola Inn is the only structure ever permitted to be built on top of the mound. Out of respect for the archeological significance of the mound the developers of the Indianola on the Water Condominium project did not disturb the bound area.
Sponsors: NWEC DEVELOPMENT AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE