Call 850-689-5050 or 850-423-1542for all departments. We have no booking fees and free cancellation, so you can relax and channel all your energy into planning your dream vacation. Pure white sandy beaches line the entire beachfront on Okaloosa Island. The lease was for 99 years with an automatic renewal for 99 years. WebOkaloosa Beginnings Northwest Florida was an untamed wilderness and after the Civil War it became home to a handful of hardy homesteaders. In 1934, Plew proposed to donate 1,460 adjoining acres to the U.S. government for a bombing and gunnery range. In portions of Okaloosa County, it is known as Okaloosa Island. Fitting, because many residents today began as a tourist! Small outposts sprang up and served as gathering places for these isolated pioneers. 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. Weboriginal lease of Navarre Beach by Santa Rosa County from Escambia County (1956); excerpts from the 1970 Annual Report of the Okaloosa Island Authority; Chapter 75-456 House Bill No. The very formation of the 45 mile (some say 48 mile) long barrier island from Pensacola Whether taking place along the sugar-white sand beaches, out on the crystal-clear Gulf waters, or tucked away along a secluded nature trail, these adventures include dolphin excursions, charter fishing, eFoil lessons, snorkeling, camping, hiking, and more. WebThe last of three county-owned buildings on Okaloosa Island was torn down on May 31, 1995. S?r"k'?4wN )+o'wa?%;s[lg:\Q_f Okaloosa County retained its primitive pioneer character for over a century which allowed the small farming and fishing communities to enjoy a quiet and private existence. Okaloosa County is included in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area. ]D August 14, 2021 That sign indicates the beginning of Okaloosa Island. 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. The lease was for 99 years with an automatic renewal for 99 years. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.50 males. link. This article about a location in Okaloosa County, Florida is a stub. Because the board's powers are regulatory and policymaking in nature, it does not meet If you were looking for your slice of heaven, thats where youd go, he said. The railroad proved its worth as a reliable and efficient means of moving local commodities to market in a short period of time. WebOkaloosa became the 52nd county in Florida on September 7, 1915, and was created from parts of Santa Rosa and Walton Counties. 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Suite 100 To the east of the pier is the Gulf Islands National Seashore area with an access point at John Beasley Park. A temporary county seat was established in Milligan until a special election was held in 1917 and Crestview was chosen as the new permanent seat. As of the 2020 census, the population was 211,668. To help make it easier than ever to discover these experiences, the destination introduced Little Adventures, new, bite-sized challenges that encourage families to get outside, learn something new, and get out of their comfort zones. 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. Local residents play an important part in making tourists feel welcome through advocacy and hospitality. We have no booking fees and free cancellation, so you can relax and channel all your energy into planning your dream vacation. To help make it easier than ever to discover these experiences, the destination introduced Little Adventures, new, bite-sized challenges that encourage families to get outside, learn something new, and get out of their comfort zones. The lease was for 99 years with an automatic renewal for 99 years. The 1.3-acre (0.53 ha) tract on the north side of Santa Rosa Boulevard was sold. WebOriginally, land on Okaloosa Island was "leased" from the Okaloosa Island Authority. The water is a gorgeous green blue color blending into a deep blue on the horizon. That same year Fort Walton changed its name to Fort Walton Beach to take advantage of the nearby beach acquisition and upcoming tourist trade. %PDF-1.6 % Beyond Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island, are several must-see destinations across Okaloosa County. TDC Council Meetings: 75-456 (June 23, 1975), the Okaloosa Island Authority was abolished and its assets turned over to the Board of County Commissioners, Okaloosa County, for management with the full force of direction to be retained in the PROTECTIVE COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS then in effect. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Perhaps the authoritys most lasting legacy is the public beach accesses that were incorporated into the plan. The primary reason is financing. Retrieved from, Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area, List of county roads in Okaloosa County, Florida, National Register of Historic Places listings in Okaloosa County, Florida, "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990", "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin", https://www.cityofdestin.com/DocumentCenter/View/602/Introduction-to-Okaloosa-County-Public-Library-Cooperative, https://readokaloosa.org/client/en_US/default/?rm=ABOUT, "2008 US Presidential Election Results by County - USATODAY.com", "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Okaloosa_County,_Florida&oldid=1140364708, Florida placenames of Native American origin, List of place names of Choctaw origin in the United States, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from August 2022, Articles with dead external links from January 2022, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. He proposed a congressional act to allow the area to be conveyed back to Escambia County, and a portion to Okaloosa County with the concurrence of Escambia County. 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. Call 850-689-5050 or 850-423-1542for all departments. WebOkaloosa 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. Whether taking place along the sugar-white sand beaches, out on the crystal-clear Gulf waters, or tucked away along a secluded nature trail, these adventures include dolphin excursions, charter fishing, eFoil lessons, snorkeling, camping, hiking, and more. Park at the Boardwalk where you can shop, eat, and play. An 0.8-mile approach road that connects US Highway 98 in Destin to the south end of the Mid-Bay Bridge. The purpose of Okaloosa County Government is to be responsive to citizens in providing an appropriate level The land was to be used for public purposes and the county was prohibited from the further conveyance of the land, except to the state of Florida or the federal government. All rights reserved. Our goal is simple. 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. In 1963, a new quitclaim deed was presented to the island authority. There you can view surf conditions, wind directions, wind speed and more. Click here for our Complete Real Estate and Accommodation Guide to Fort Walton Beach. 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). We have provided for the promotion of Fire Safety through our Fire Prevention program and annual inspections. The inland fishermen could take their catch to the small railroad towns for export. endstream endobj 1269 0 obj <>stream It contains the history of how the Island evolved over the years. Tourism impactsthe local economy in many ways;by creating jobs, contributing to sales tax, infrastructure surtax,contributing to small business revenue, andin our countywidetourist development district, they also fund tourism-related amenities, activities,environmental improvements, protection,restoration and preservation. Organization: Ledby a Tourism Director and aConvention Center Manager,ateam of experienced and qualified staffperform the mission of the Tourist Development Council (TDC). Yn*S-/xH DTIB(IpS0?yB!Y#t$ r. As of the 2020 census, the population was 211,668. All businesses must be located in Florida to be included. Water Activities include swimming, snorkeling, body surfing, stand up paddleboarding, and boating and fishing excursions. We find plenty of space on the beach.. 2023, Okaloosa Island Fire Dept. In 1946, Congress abolished the Santa Rosa National Monument. The purpose of Okaloosa County Government is to be responsive to citizens in providing an appropriate level Web(By virtue of House Bill 2307, Florida Statute Ch. WebThe quickest way to Destin and the beaches of Okaloosa County and South Walton is the Mid-Bay Bridge across Choctawhatchee Bay. 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. WebOkaloosa Island Attractions. 2307 abolishing the Okaloosa Island Authority (1975); and the Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Association Newsletter of May 2000. To help make it easier than ever to discover these experiences, the destination introduced Little Adventures, new, bite-sized challenges that encourage families to get outside, learn something new, and get out of their comfort zones. The authority presented the Corp of Engineers a check for $55,000. 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. Why is tourism important for Okaloosa county? 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. G(j,|9~b2@>bJUKQ{Ug`#1\n,|4e] MUz]*:JZw*,. 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! h&u(**V*RCgtT%PTf%l(,Y,AZ3)9 X6IS` [2], The last of three county-owned buildings on Okaloosa Island was torn down on May 31, 1995. Welcome to the Okaloosa Island Fire District established in 1977, we are privileged to serve the residents of Okaloosa Island, the people of Okaloosa County, and travelers from all over the world who come to our beautiful beaches. It is a beautiful walk along the natural dunes and pristine seashore. Okaloosa Island has two distinct sides that are separated by the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier and Boardwalkin the middle. 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