Walton history

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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...

Explore area history at Walton County’s Heritage Museum

Peek into the past in DeFuniak Springs Interested in learning about Walton County’s history? Head over to the Heritage Museum in DeFuniak Springs and take a journey into the past. Run by volunteers with the Walton County Heritage Association, the museum offers a peek into area history from 1885 – 1945. A variety of historical artifacts including arrowheads, old turpentine pottery shards, military information and more are on hand at the museum. One of the highlights is a handmade 12...

Fishing on Grayton Beach casts a vibrant history

Old friends reminisce about the early days of Grayton Beach fishing Editors note: This story was originally written in February 2009. Gene Wesley passed on Jan. 13, 2011, and Van Ness Butler, Jr. on February 14, 2014. Both men were great outdoors men. Locals in Walton County have enjoyed fishing from Grayton Beach for generations. With a panoramic view of the Gulf, gentle breezes, it doesn’t get any better. Two long-time friends Van Ness Butler, Jr. and Gene Wesley remember...