Starting January 1, 2023, all SunPass or other Florida interoperable transponder users with 35 or more toll transactions, The Mid-Bay Bridge and Spence ParkwaySunPass Frequent Customer Rebate program. The 3.6 mile, two (2) lane toll bridge spanning the Choctawhatchee Bay provides a primary transportation link between Niceville and Destin. Drive two traffic lights, turn left on Santa Rosa Boulevard and go to the end of the road. In 1915 it was Mapoles who introduced a bill to the Florida House of Representatives that called for the creation of a new county from the existing counties of Santa Rosa and Walton. Since this guide is all about the beach areas, the best hiking is directly on the beach! Save time and get to the beach faster! 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}. WebMembers of the Board of the Okaloosa Island Authority are public officers subject to financial disclosure pursuant to s. 112.312(7)(b), F. S. (1974 Supp.). After the United States acquired Florida, Fort Pickens, also at Siquenza Point, was built, again to protect Pensacola. Beyond Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island, are several must-see destinations across Okaloosa County. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. The purpose of Okaloosa County Government is to be responsive to citizens in providing an appropriate level The cost of $500 is about half of what it used to be. The primary reason is financing. 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. They included the Santa Rosa Island Military Reservation and the Moreno Point Military Reservation what we call Destin today. Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email. Growth Management (Planning & Inspections). Learn about ecotourism at, Located in Northwest Florida, Destin-Fort Walton Beach is not only an ideal place to unwind, but discover natural beauty, encounter wildlife and ultimately uncover the adventurous side within. Along with the newly opened Spence Parkway, this 15 mile, limited access corridor from SR 85 to Hwy 98 lets you get to the heart of Destin quickly and stress free. 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. 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. WebOkaloosa Beginnings Northwest Florida was an untamed wilderness and after the Civil War it became home to a handful of hardy homesteaders. All rights reserved. In 1939, Escambia County conveyed the island, without cost, to the Department of the Interior with the intent that the department would develop the island as a park. Located in Northwest Florida, Destin-Fort Walton Beach is not only an ideal place to unwind, but discover natural beauty, encounter wildlife and ultimately uncover the adventurous side within. 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. 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}. 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. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 211,668 people, 79,235 households, and 51,719 families residing in the county. Board of Commissioners Special Meeting 9/21/22. The island stretch along the west side of the pier lined with condominiums has a large retirement population and features a more relaxed less touristy feel, while the pier and boardwalk attract families with attractions geared toward younger children. 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). This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. The buildings had originally housed the Okaloosa Island Authority and more recently the Okaloosa County Council on Aging. Okaloosa County is included in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area brings visitors and residents who are looking fora relaxed beach town lifestyle that is close to all of the Destin activities while remaining less crowded and touristy. WebThe last of three county-owned buildings on Okaloosa Island was torn down on May 31, 1995. Klein recently published two Destin history books - DESTINS Founding FatherThe Untold Story of Leonard Destin and DESTIN Pioneer SettlersA Land History of Destin, Florida from 1819-1940. That year the Okaloosa County Commission allowed leaseholders to obtain fee simple title to their property. [1] This area had been known as Tower Beach with the establishment of an amusement park, boardwalk and hotel from the mid-1930s. WebBook your tickets online for Okaloosa Island, Fort Walton Beach: See 1,574 reviews, articles, and 703 photos of Okaloosa Island, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 27 attractions in Fort Walton Beach. There you can view surf conditions, wind directions, wind speed and more. Sign up forour monthly enewsletterto stay up to date on what's happening in Florida, upcoming events and special deals. Okaloosa County Administration Building These resourceful settlers made ends meet by fishing, hunting, and trading. The county paid the federal government $4,000 to complete the transaction, which was supported by Congressman Bob Sikes . Dolphins and Sea Turtles frequent the areas waters. Though Okaloosa Island does have six beach properties that own all the way to water, much of the beach property is public, and there have not been confrontations between the owners and beachgoers, according to Okaloosa County Deputy Administrator Greg Kisela. The Okaloosa Island Condominium Alliance this year filed a legal action that held up a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to dredge from the East Pass in Destin until an agreement was forged that would result in the majority of the dredged sand being placed on the western side of the pass as opposed to the eastern side and Holiday Isle. It contains the history of how the Island evolved over the years. For Local Businesses including Food & Drinks, Services, Health & Medical, Education, Sports & Recreation, Arts & Entertainment and more, click here. 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. Its county seat is Crestview. ||^T/J;V4e0z*{^rF(Rxtz{PteDkFx[;>@ Ub{Q~>ccQ{w;w{6;A?*Oy>W0q>:ct_i e')/\{ K The remainder of Okaloosa County (recently expanded) "Expansion Area" will collect and remit at the rate of 4%. They were supposed to have little areas on the Sound where people could come in, tie up their boat, go up to the beach and walk back and go home, Melvin said. Property owners on Okaloosa Island could only lease their land until 1995. The part of Santa Rosa Island that is owned by Okaloosa County has gone through a lot of legal hurtles from 1929 to 1995, but everything you think is Okaloosa Island isnt Okaloosa Island. AS\7,) V The Bridge offers local citizens a convenient option for commuting to / from work, getting to school, shopping, or heading off to recreational activities. View Meetings, VisitorWelcome Center )T>wsRQU_:X_;Ru~\~w 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. 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. 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. G(j,|9~b2@>bJUKQ{Ug`#1\n,|4e] MUz]*:JZw*,. 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. '@U?Q}Oa}qB2nzjVkx\Ie0c0*JSF_)ft71GA+oST b{ $ jMr-Bz{j?K^>00!I[Syvsf Parking is free everywhere on Okaloosa Island. The Agenda Item for consideration can be viewed by clicking on the following link: Resolution 17-123 can be viewed by clicking on the following link: The new Leasehold Conversion Process is being handled in house by the County Public Works Department. The family-friendly locale offers an environment of discovery to play and explore, inviting kids to get on the water and give their adventurous side room to grow. WebThe quickest way to Destin and the beaches of Okaloosa County and South Walton is the Mid-Bay Bridge across Choctawhatchee Bay. WebBook your tickets online for Okaloosa Island, Fort Walton Beach: See 1,574 reviews, articles, and 703 photos of Okaloosa Island, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 27 attractions in Fort Walton Beach. Dunes are an important part of the ecologyand are protected so please cross the dunes in the designated areas and boardwalks. Fitting, because many residents today began as a tourist! Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 2023 www.nwfdailynews.com. The railroad proved its worth as a reliable and efficient means of moving local commodities to market in a short period of time. h&u(**V*RCgtT%PTf%l(,Y,AZ3)9 X6IS` Fort Walton Beach, Florida, "Today in Local History", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Okaloosa_Island,_Florida&oldid=1105352156, Unincorporated communities in Okaloosa County, Florida, Populated coastal places in Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, Former census-designated places in Florida, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox settlement with missing country, Pages using infobox settlement with no map, Pages using infobox settlement with no coordinates, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 August 2022, at 20:49. 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. Birdingis popular on Okaloosa Island where bird-watchers can spot terns, gulls, pelicans, black skimmers, sandpipers, herons, egrets and other birds wintering in the area. That sand will eventually move westward to restore more developed island areas, the email said. Web(By virtue of House Bill 2307, Florida Statute Ch. For more information please contact Heritage Museum Association, 302 N. Wilson St. - Suite 302 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. It contains the Eighteen of those military installations were in Florida. The cities of Fort Walton Beach, Valparaiso, and Destin all joined the Cooperative by the year 2000. WebTop ways to experience Okaloosa Island and nearby attractions Learn to Surf - Destin 5 Surfing Lessons from $100.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Snorkeling and Dolphin Tour 39 Recommended Adventure Tours from $60.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Original Cruisin' Tikis 3hr Crab Island Sandbar Adventure 363 Recommended Water [7] Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. According to the 2010 census, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. View our scrapbook of historic photographs. The Florida Statute 125.104 permits the Board of County Commissioners of Okaloosa County to levy Tourist Development Tax (TDT), and Chapter 20 Article II, Sections 71-78 of the Okaloosa County Ordinances created the Tourist Development Council, established the initial tax rate collection, and identified the special taxing districts with Okaloosa. We have no booking fees and free cancellation, so you can relax and channel all your energy into planning your dream vacation. Tourism impactsthe local economy in many ways; , activities,environmental improvements, protection,restoration and preservation. The authority presented the Corp of Engineers a check for $55,000. 9'\H.H4fI/8yIc_#`86PRN"AN $+aDHN!9Q23eGG The lease was for 99 years with an automatic renewal for 99 years. These fish hauls were then moved to the east coast by the P&A, or further north on the Yellow River Railroad from Crestview. Whether visiting the winding rivers flowing through north county tree lines,parks and recreational points of interestor spending a few days at the white sandy beaches reflecting upon the Gulf of Mexico shoreline, the TDD promises to get kids outside on the water to give their adventurous side room to grow! All rights reserved. These resourceful settlers made ends meet by fishing, hunting, and trading. x2;3_Q Y,d@32!R92*i\8v#aq 3r, C84*, Wartime priorities precluded its reconstruction. [2], The last of three county-owned buildings on Okaloosa Island was torn down on May 31, 1995. The 1.3-acre (0.53 ha) tract on the north side of Santa Rosa Boulevard was sold. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Od1Sn&|]&3hV[JbPLDXa"3'P4Q1B[*a&H2,`@YMDjPVePn&8p& 3vd,5"b`KQp4cl(lXX\"Kj\SBma040[@R4lJ1:4PfyDrv@Zl@"4B1kDQY)Oy-(7s,RZXa5.BVOwVa85# B-*0=|v(.,Rw@Yvlm &!h")D!DaXPrP rPY18H9Rr@CH Fitting, because many residents today began as a tourist! Klein can be contacted directly at klein@aristotle.net. Going west the rest is still Santa Rosa Island until you reach Navarre Beach. 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. H. C. Hank Klein is a Destin historian, author, and speaker. With a childrens playground and volleyball courts, picnic tables, a wide beachfront, and fishing pier, it is easy to enjoy a day at the beach that offers something for everyone in your family or group. We have provided for the promotion of Fire Safety through our Fire Prevention program and annual inspections. 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. WebMission: The mission of the Tourism Development Department (TDD) is to make time spent here, whether visiting living or working, more valuable to all. 2307 abolishing the Okaloosa Island Authority (1975); and the Okaloosa Island Leaseholders Association Newsletter of May 2000. 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. Retrieved from, Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative. Call 850-689-5050 or 850-423-1542for all departments. %PDF-1.6 % 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. Special thanks to Heritage Museum Association for the use of the pictures. Okaloosa County was created by an act passed on September 7, 1915,[3] formed from the eastern ranges of Santa Rosa County and the western ranges of Walton County. Wartime priorities precluded its reconstruction over the years and speaker, you will receive a link to create new... Webthe last of three county-owned buildings on Okaloosa Island, are several must-see destinations Okaloosa. The 3.6 mile, two ( 2 ) lane toll bridge spanning the Bay. 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