OKALOOSA ISLAND Margaret Mary Doucette and her friend Christine Rolfe had their hands full of swimming and sunning necessities Tuesday as they crossed Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island on their way to the beach. 1268 0 obj <>stream An 11-mile, limited access, 2-lane, separatelytolled highway that connects the north end of the Mid-Bay Bridge with SR 20, SR 285 and SR 85. The Beachfrontalong the entire coastline of Okaloosa Island is super wide and flatmaking the beach a perfect place for both relaxing and recreation. Fort Walton Beach is the home of the prehistoric temple mound that was built between 800-1400AD and is thought to be the largest on salt water and possibly the largest prehistoric earthwork on the Gulf Coast. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,082 square miles (2,800km2), of which 930 square miles (2,400km2) is land and 152 square miles (390km2) (14.0%) is water. WebThe last of three county-owned buildings on Okaloosa Island was torn down on May 31, 1995. Then when you cross the Marler Memorial Bridge and leave Destin heading west you are on Santa Rosa Island for the next three and a half miles. Local residents play an important part in making tourists feel welcome through advocacy and hospitality. All along this stretch of Santa Rosa Blvd, the single road stretching across the west side of the island, are numbered access points lining the island between condos and hotels that offer parking, restrooms and picnic areas. 2023, Okaloosa Island Fire Dept. ||^T/J;V4e0z*{^rF(Rxtz{PteDkFx[;>@ Ub{Q~>ccQ{w;w{6;A?*Oy>W0q>:ct_i e')/\{ K Okaloosa Island was developed under the guidance of the Okaloosa Island Authority, which in the 1950s was called upon to devise a master plan for a growing community. Santa Rosa Island, the island from Destins East Pass to Pensacola Bay, is called a number of different names. Congressman Robert Sikes was totally dissatisfied with the National Park Service. The buildings had originally housed the Okaloosa Island Authority and more recently the Okaloosa County Council on Aging. And check out the area Guidesfor the City ofDestinand the City of Fort Walton Beach and find local businesses in the largestDestin area business directory(coming soon). Click here forImportant Information for Mid-Bay Bridge SunPass Frequent Users. WebOriginally, land on Okaloosa Island was "leased" from the Okaloosa Island Authority. Before the railroad, like the majority of the Northwest Florida region, Okaloosa County transported lumber and turpentine via rivers and bayous. An 0.8-mile approach road that connects US Highway 98 in Destin to the south end of the Mid-Bay Bridge. Fitting, because many residents today began as a tourist! WebOn July 8, 1950 the federal government conveyed an 875-acre (3.54 km 2) parcel of Santa Rosa Island with 3 miles (4.8 km) of Gulf frontage to Okaloosa County. Click herefor more information. dWHd0ipt@H `84xHN2AHHVJNlSSa.BWLwh3#0 sp22cF_LGMGTc %gyKd43+CE"G They included the Santa Rosa Island Military Reservation and the Moreno Point Military Reservation what we call Destin today. This guide is all about the beach areas: the beaches, access points, parking, wildlife, activities, sand and water, beachfront area, shelling, and anything related to being on the beach! Okaloosa Island is an area on Santa Rosa Island, Florida. [19], Okaloosa County is one of the most conservative counties in Florida. All rights reserved. Visitors enjoy pristine beaches, Gulf-to-Table seafood, abundant watersport activities, nature trails and camp grounds, numerous attractions, festivals and events designed to thrill all ages. [ PkJi8]@l7u\Ei]C0ItnTW3IW0\ib Web(By virtue of House Bill 2307, Florida Statute Ch. Explore, Growth Management (Planning & Inspections), destinfwb.com/explore/ecotourism-hotspots, Financial Report pursuant to F.S. The purpose of Okaloosa County Government is to be responsive to citizens in providing an appropriate level All rights reserved. Visitors enjoy pristine beaches, Gulf-to-Table seafood, abundant watersport activities, nature trails and campgrounds, numerous attractions, festivals and events designed to thrill all ages. Dunes are an important part of the ecologyand are protected so please cross the dunes in the designated areas and boardwalks. is separate from the statewide Toll Relief program and customers may receive credits from both. The paths that run across the island toward its public beach accesses were envisioned long ago as a link between the Gulf of Mexico and Santa Rosa Sound, said Jerry Melvin, a local leader who recently had one of the accesses named after him. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.94. An Industrious People Webfrom the 1970 Annual Report of the Okaloosa Island Authority; Chapter 75-456 House Bill No. The 1.3-acre (0.53 ha) tract on the north side of Santa Rosa Boulevard was sold. 800-322-3319 Webfrom the 1970 Annual Report of the Okaloosa Island Authority; Chapter 75-456 House Bill No. And the best feature of John Beasley Park is the dunes! To be real without an agenda. Within the 2010 census, 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 2307 abolishing the Okaloosa Island Authority (1975); and the Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Association Newsletter of May 2000. The 1.3-acre (0.53 ha) tract on the north side of Santa Rosa Boulevard was sold. Hutchinson, Leonard Patrick, "History of the Playground Area of Northwest Florida", Great Outdoors Publishing Co., St. Petersburg, Florida, 1st ed., 1961, no Library of Congress card number, no ISBN, page 41. There is a Brief History of Okaloosa Island on the About Us page. The buildings had originally housed the Okaloosa Island Authority and more recently the Okaloosa County Council on Aging. [20] Mitt Romney won the county in 2012 with 73.86% (69,785) of the popular vote, while Donald Trump won 70.42% (71,893) in 2016.[21]. Lumber, Turpentine and Fishing were the main economic drivers of the time and they, in turn, were supported by the Pensacola & Atlantic Railroad (P&A) which was a division of the already existing Louisville & Nashville Railroad (L&N). WebOkaloosa Beginnings Northwest Florida was an untamed wilderness and after the Civil War it became home to a handful of hardy homesteaders. The Shorelineoffers soft sands with very few shells making it enjoyable to walk barefoot and play in the shallow waters. www.destinfwb.com, 302 N. Wilson St. - Suite 302 WebOkaloosa Island is the beach destination in Destin-Fort Walton Beach Florida that offers 3 miles of sugar white super soft sand and the clear emerald green waters of the emerald coast beaches. Parking is free everywhere on Okaloosa Island. Okaloosa County is located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}304115N 863533W / 30.68750N 86.59250W / 30.68750; -86.59250. A local businessman and airplane enthusiast, James E. Plew, saw the advantages of bringing the military to a county suffering from the depression. They made their way south on foot, ox carts, boats, and mule wagons to establish small sustenance farms. 2023 www.nwfdailynews.com. hZ~"{6 A1_UVwK0#6X,u)eh{RLuJjebO(My'LJxTj2j:I/:)`&eyf4:)OMA'A wZI3A@R iJl09cagP.vSqPa@Y]na&PjdVWGddLjj2I6+ 6ZNOll*30KO-4: v] Fitting, because many residents today began as a tourist! All of Santa Rosa Island, including what we call Holiday Isle in Destin, was then in Escambia County. The small communities that grew around the lumber and turpentine camps found themselves more mobile and had better access to large stands of virgin timber and pine. Discover the best sights in Okaloosa Island with some unique tours & day trips, or check out our list of {36 fun activities in Okaloosa Island fun activities in Okaloosa Island}. Okaloosa Island has a cultural feel that includes both young families and retirees. Click here for our Complete Real Estate and Accommodation Guide to Fort Walton Beach. b_R!1$HbHV, l{D),bPQB$AEuW:=uhXD, [1] Its county seat is Crestview. An 875-acre (354ha) parcel of Santa Rosa Island with 3 miles (4.8km) of Gulf frontage was conveyed to Okaloosa County on July 8, 1950, in an informal ceremony at the county courthouse in Crestview, Florida. An authentic local recommendation - Tips onthe best time of day to travel - Maybe just a smile. These resourceful settlers made ends meet by fishing, hunting, and trading. In 1953, Okaloosa Island Authority was created as an instrumentality of the Okaloosa County to administer that portion of Santa Rosa Island owned by Okaloosa County. For Local Businesses including Food & Drinks, Services, Health & Medical, Education, Sports & Recreation, Arts & Entertainment and more, click here. Okaloosa Island has two distinct sides that are separated by the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier and Boardwalkin the middle. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. Be included in our Business Directory. The county paid the federal government $4,000 to complete the transaction, which was supported by Congressman Bob Sikes . And to support a strong local community. On March 26, 1926, Congress declared 44 military installations across the United States surplus. The college maintains four campuses in Okaloosa County: Niceville, Crestview, Ft. Walton Beach, and Hurlburt Field, and one campus in Walton County, FL. We are honored to serve, Thank you for your support! Fort Pickens is named after Revolutionary War hero Gen. Andrew Pickens of South Carolina. To the east of the pier is the Gulf Islands National Seashore area with an access point at John Beasley Park. It contains the history of how the Island evolved over the years. CEgu#fKiKNSZNy$t1ihZ[>A On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Web(By virtue of House Bill 2307, Florida Statute Ch. They made their way south on foot, ox carts, boats, and mule wagons to establish small sustenance farms. Okaloosa County Library Cooperative. :3m(Qcm|OQ\3F]Xh{EkK/WPOt*;\|5'|XE$}Q*=Swl[j%"8x9:C=CyRX0m,osJmYt0K}*:eCeq oN'=UH.8y^riUpS uR\hi)GGHK#t8}t#G z$QQ>LMMgu4} [s! July 29, 2021 These resourceful settlers made ends meet by fishing, hunting, and trading. About Us. [7] The 1.3-acre (0.53 ha) tract on the north side of Santa Rosa Boulevard was sold. If you check your cars odometer you will see that as you approach the end of the road, before you enter Eglin Air Force Base property, you will have traveled exactly three miles from the sign indicating the beginning of Okaloosa Island. In 1995, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved a measure that allowed leaseholders to obtain a "fee simple title" to their property. Copyright 2015 Okaloosa County, Florida. August 13, 2021 Most lending institutions, either for a primary mortgage or for re-financing an Its county seat is Crestview. I couldnt find it more convenient, said Doucette. Okaloosa County is a destination rich Each of these access points are ideal spots for accessing the beach and are very nicely designed, somewith boardwalk lookouts and covered areas leading to the beachfront. In 2015, the median income for a household in the county was $55,880. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Recreation Area: Black or African American alone=10.2% (July 1, 2015), American Native and Alaskan Native alone=0.7% (July 1, 2015), Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone=0.3% (July 1, 2015), This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 19:42. In 1953, Okaloosa Island Authority was created as an instrumentality of the Okaloosa County to administer that portion of Santa Rosa Island owned by Okaloosa County. WebOkaloosa Island is the beach destination in Destin-Fort Walton Beach Florida that offers 3 miles of sugar white super soft sand and the clear emerald green waters of the emerald coast beaches. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. WebMission: The mission of the Tourism Development Department (TDD) is to make time spent here, whether visiting living or working, more valuable to all. ExploreDestinFWB.com. In portions of Santa Rosa County, it is known as Navarre Beach. Shalimar, FL 32579. Our goal is simple. Both can be obtained from Amazon.com, The Destin History & Fishing Museum, in Destin, The Indian Temple Mound in Fort Walton Beach, Magnolia House Gifts at Grand Boulevard, and Sundog Books in Seaside. Okaloosa Island is the beach destination in Destin-Fort Walton Beach Florida that offers 3 miles of sugar white super soft sand and the clear emerald green waters of the emerald coastbeaches. There you can view surf conditions, wind directions, wind speed and more. The cost of $500 is about half of what it used to be. Sign up forour monthly enewsletterto stay up to date on what's happening in Florida, upcoming events and special deals. We find plenty of space on the beach.. Soon, these trading posts became small towns, which in turn, grew into the cities and towns we recognize today. The per capita income for the county was $28,902. Surf Fishing is a common activity in the area. Okaloosa County is included in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area. This makes it difficult to obtain financing when selling or re-financing. Not as busy as some of the Destin area beaches, this area is a perfect location if you want to be close enough to Destin, but a bit out of the more touristyareas. Okaloosa County is a destination rich in family-friendly experiences. 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