Walton history

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Learn about WWII and its connection to South Walton at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Jan. 12

Join Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the Coffeen Nature Preserve on January 12, 2018 from 10 – 11 a.m. Come learn about the connection between Coffeen Nature Preserve, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and WWII. This program is free with regular park admission. Topsail Talks is a monthly educational discovery series with presentations from organizations and government agencies from outside the park. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida...

Freeport resident restoring historic home

A historic home in Freeport will soon be brought back to life after many years of neglect. Local resident, and new owner of the home, Kevin Bloom has big plans for the Queen Anne style home built in the late 1800s. Bloom drove by the deteriorating home located on North Street many times over the years, never giving it a second look. That is, until one day he spotted it up for auction online. He called his realtor and was...

U.S. Hwy. 331 from Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge to State Road 20 slated to open July 6

The U.S. 331 widening project between the Choctawhatchee Relief Bay Bridge and State Road 20 in Walton County will reach a milestone on Wednesday, July 6 when all four lanes of traffic will be open to drivers. Work to widen 4.6 miles of the roadway from two to four lanes began fall 2012 and is scheduled to be complete late summer 2016. Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures as crews complete punch list items. Construction activities are weather dependent and...

South Walton pioneer C.H. McGee known as Mr. Seagrove

By Carol McCrite Note: This story was originally published in the historical book The Way We Were – Recollections of South Walton Pioneers by South Walton Three Arts Alliance. Republished with permission. “Seagrove Beach – Where Nature Did Its Best.” C.H. McGee, Sr. (known to friends as McGee) coined the phrase to describe his personal feelings about the magnificent piece of gulf front land he purchased from J.R. Moody in 1949. The 18-month campaign to acquire 160 acres of pristine...

The Point Washington alligator trapper

By DeLene Sholes Note: This story was originally published in the historical book Of Days Gone By – Reflections of South Walton County, Florida by South Walton Three Arts Alliance. Republished with permission. You may find a copy of the book that includes many short stories about our area’s colorful history at the Coastal Branch Library. Long ago, when it was legal to trap alligators, and sometimes when it wasn’t, Point Washington native George Morgan and his father-in-law, Alfred Barrett,...

School bell on display at Freeport City Hall has long history

By Freeport historian Beckie Buxton Have you ever noticed the old school bell displayed in front of Freeport’s City Hall? If you are new to the Freeport area, perhaps you have wondered whey it is so prominently displayed. Those who attended the old Freeport School, circa 1908-1942 will recognize it as the bell that was once mounted in front of the old two-story wooden school building. The school housed grades one through ten and stood where the Freeport Middle School...

Heritage Center of Freeport opens

Museum and visitor center a step back in time On Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 at 2 p.m. the new Heritage Center of Freeport will officially open its doors with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony. The Heritage Center houses a museum on Freeport’s history and a visitor center. “Freeport’s historian, Beckie Buxton, has been compiling stories and photos of Freeport for decades,” said curator Tim Ard. “Countless hours of volunteerism has created wonderful exhibits of Freeport’s families and businesses,” he...