FORT WALTON BEACH
History
Fort Walton Beach was originally named Brooks Landing after John Brooks who settled the area with his family in 1868, and Camp Walton for the Civil War encampment of the Walton Guard. The area was renamed in 1932 when a Civil War cannon was excavated from an Indian archaeological site on Santa Rosa Sound.
Chartered as a municipality in 1937, Indian artifacts dating back to 10,000 B.C. have been found. Relics were also found that were linked to five separate Indian periods between 600 and 1650 A.D. Pirates, which are celebrated during the annual Billy Bowlegs Festival held each summer in Fort Walton Beach, have also been traced to the area as far back as 1500.
Fort
Walton Beach is home to both Eglin Air Force Base and
Hurlburt Field. Eglin AFB, located on 724
square miles of reservation and 97,963 square miles
of water range, is one of the largest Air Force bases
in the world. It employs more than 8,500 military and
another 4,500 civilians. Hurlburt Field, home of the
air commandos since 1961, today accommodates the 16th
Special Operations Wing.
Today
Fort Walton Beach’s 25 miles of beautiful white sand and clear emerald waters, may be enough to bring visitors here, but the other attractions keep them coming back. Visitors can be entertained by a marine life exhibit at the Gulfarium, fishing from Okaloosa Island Pier and along the beaches, swimming, snorkeling, diving in the Gulf, together with other water sports in the many lakes, bayous and 22-square mile Choctawhatchee Bay. Kids can get a hands-on adventure in fun at the Emerald Coast Science Center. Aviation enthusiasts can also enjoy visiting the Air Force Armament Museum where vintage aircraft and munitions are on display.
Okaloosa Island, one of the barrier islands protecting the Florida coast, lies between the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay at the east end of Fort Walton Beach. The sound side of the island, along the bay, offers smooth water and quiet spots to launch boats. Along the gulf shore are numerous parks and picnic areas with beach access.
Visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of shopping, a revitalized downtown area, unique dining, entertainment and nightlife, miniature golf courses, public golf courses, and bay and gulf view resorts.
Weather
- Average yearly temperature: 78
- Hottest month: July and August – average high 91
- Coldest month: Jan. – average low 31
- Annual rainfall: 69.2 inches
- Monthly average rainfall: 5.8 inches
- Wettest month: July – 9.4 inches
- Driest month: Apr. 4.26 inches
- Record high temperature: July 1980 – 107
- Record low temperature: Jan. 1985 – 4
- Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 each year
- Major hurricanes (Category 3 and higher) that have struck the Northwest Gulf Coast of Florida in the past 154 years: 14
[As of 08/06/05 – source NOAA]
Demographics
- Population (2000 census) - 11,973 full time residents (incorporated area)
- Total Area - 8.2 square miles: 7.4 sq. miles land, 0.8 sq. miles water
- Per capita income - $21,085
- Median family income - $45,791
- Median age - 39
- Population ratio - (males: females) - 96:100
- Major industry - Air Force, tourism
Local Directory
Schools (Elementary)
- Cherokee (Eglin)
- Elliott Point
- Ocean City
- Edwins
- Kenwood
- Wright
- Mary Esther
- Shalimar
- Oak Hill(Eglin)
- Florosa
Schools (Pre-K-12)
- Silver Sands (special needs students)
Schools (Middle)
- Bruner Middle
- Pryor Middle
Schools (High)
- Choctawhatchee
- Fort Walton Beach
Colleges
- Okaloosa-Walton College - FWB Campus
- University of West Florida - FWB Campus
- Troy University – Florida Region
- Emery Riddle – Hurlburt AFB Campus
- University of Arkansas – Hurlburt AFB Campus
Law enforcement
- 7 Hollywood Blvd. NE – (850) 833-9543
Post offices
- 21 Walter Martin Rd. NE – (850) 244-2625
- 656B Santa Rosa Blvd. – (850) 244-3325
- 21 Racetrack Rd. NW – (850) 862-5646
Library
- 185 Miracle Strip Pkwy. – (850) 833-9590
Fire department
- Station 6: 5 Hollywood Blvd. – (850) 833-9570
- Station 7: 1968 Lewis Turner Blvd. – (850) 833-9572
City Hall
- 107 Miracle Stripe Pkwy SW – (850) 833-9504 (City Manager)
Community Center
- Fred B. Hedrick Recreation Center – 132 Jet Dr. – (850) 833-9576
- Theo Docie Bass Recreation Center – 54 Ferry Ave. – (850) 833-9580
- Chester Pruitt Recreation Center – 15 SE Carson Dr. – (850) 833-9582
- Creative Senior Community Center – 31 SW Memorial Pkwy. – (850) 833-9587
Chamber of Commerce
- 34 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE – (850) 244-8191
Visitors’ Center
- 1540 Miracle Strip Pkwy. – (800) 322-3319 or (850) 651-7131
Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Airport
- Miracle Strip Aviation - 1001 Airport Rd., Destin – (850)
837-6135 – public service airport does not
provide service to commercial airlines
For Things to Do in Fort Walton Beach, click here
