NAVARRE
History
A trip to Spain and a wish to please a bride led to the founding of Navarre. Col. Guy Wyman, formerly of DeFuniak Springs and retired from the Army, moved to what is now Navarre in the mid 1920s. Through their travels while in the military, Wyman and his wife had seen a great deal of the world, but it was the Emerald Coast of Florida where they chose to settle. Upon moving to the region, they named their little piece of paradise after a much-loved region of northern Spain.
Little more than untamed wilderness, the area remained
undeveloped well into the early 1960s when everything
changed with the construction of the Navarre Beach
Bridge. This new link to the Gulf gave birth to the
tourism industry by opening the beaches along Santa
Rosa Sound to more people.
Development of the area grew and continues to build, while still conserving natural areas in their pure and unspoiled splendor.
It was this isolated, protected beauty that brought Hollywood to the region. Steven Spielberg shot Jaws 2 near Navarre Beach and the Gulf waters around Santa Rosa Sound in 1978.
It is perhaps its quiet reputation that brought another sort of visitor to Navarre Beach. Known for its overabundance of recorded UFO sightings, the area has been the topic of a number of books, television shows and national speculation.
Today
With its growing reputation as one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, Navarre has found a delicate balance of industry and environment.
Gulf Island’s National Seashore, a 160-mile
stretch of barrier islands, reaches from Cat Island
in Mississippi to the end of Santa Rosa Island just
west of Navarre Beach.
The still secluded beaches offer some of the best viewing for sea turtle nesting. The endangered and protected turtles come ashore to lay their eggs as late as August. Green Sea turtles, Loggerheads, and leatherbacks all call the area home.
Strict regulations govern the viewing of these prehistoric amphibians. It is even illegal to take away a spent eggshell. These sea creatures are so beloved that residents along the beaches turn off their porch light during hatching season to keep the young turtle from following the yellow glow, erroneously believing they are headed out to sea and towards the sun.
The clear, emerald green waters are a scuba diver’s haven, and the perfect place to cast for that perfect fish.
Just down the road is Hurlburt Field, home to the 16th Special Operations Wing’s “Air Command Spirit.” Beginning in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II, the 16th SOW operations, maintenance and support personnel are still involved in special missions around the world.
Weather
- Average yearly temperature: 77.6
- Hottest month: July – average high 91
- Coldest month: Jan. – average low 43
- Annual rainfall: 64.28 inches
- Monthly average rainfall: 5.4 inches
- Wettest month: July – 8.02 inches
- Driest month: Apr. 3.89 inches
- Record high temperature: July 1980 – 106
- Record low temperature: Jan. 1985 – 5
- 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) – 20,967 full time residents (incorporated area)
- Total Area - 8.2 square miles: 7.4 sq. miles land, 0.8 sq. miles water
- Per capita income - $19,694
- Median family income - $48,339
- Median age – 35.4
- Population ratio - (males: females) - 96:100
- Major industry - Air Force, tourism
Local Directory
Schools
- Holley-Navarre Primary (grades K-2)
- Holley-Navarre Intermediate (grades 3 –5)
- West Navarre Elementary (K-5)
- Holley-Navarre Middle
- Navarre High School
Colleges
- Emery Riddle University – Hurlburt Campus
- University of Arkansas – Hurlburt Campus
Law enforcement
- District 2: Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office – 8597 High School Blvd. – (850) 936-6100
Post office
- 1910 Navarre School Rd. – (850) 939-0381
Library
- 8484 James M. Harvell Rd. – (850) 936-6120
Fire department
- Department 17 – 8618 Esplande St. – (850) 939-5236
- Department 18 – 1413 Utility Dr. – (850) 939-2448
Community Center
- Navarre Sports Complex, 2497 Pawnee Dr. – (850) 939-1259 ext. 1440 or (850) 983-1940
Chamber of Commerce
- Santa Rosa County – 5247 Stewart St., Milton – (850)
623-2339
For Things to Do in Navarre, click here.
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