He’s the man responsible for the first history of Walton County:
He’s the man responsible for the first history of Walton County: Christopher Saul May 1, 2026 9:26 am History On May 1, 1840, John Love McKinnon, Jr., was born. McKinnon, a Walton County native of the Eucheeanna area, wrote the first-ever history of the county in 1911, just a couple of years before his […]
This massive concert transformed Emerald Coast tourism forever!
On April 21, 1984, the band Heart played a free beach concert on Okaloosa Island to 35,000 people, causing a traffic nightmare that lasted for hours. This pivotal event—fueled by free beer and college Spring Breakers—forced Okaloosa County to choose whether the Emerald Coast would be a destination for rowdy students or for families.
ANACONDA: How the blockade of the South devastated the Emerald Coast
On April 18, 1861, Abraham Lincoln would make his opening move on the chessboard of the Civil War. It would have devastating consequences on the Emerald Coast.
This is why this inspired man created the Emerald Coast
When he arrived, he was one of the most controversial figures in Northwest Florida. By the time he died, he was universally loved.
History of the Emerald Coast: gruesome guerilla warfare in the Panhandle
On a humid April day in 1837, a Creek man walked into the tiny settlement of Lumbertown to trade for ammunition. He didn’t know he was walking into a powder keg. What began as a wary exchange ended in a roadside slaughter—sparking a brutal, “eye-for-an-eye” bush war that would terrorize the Florida Panhandle for decades. This is the forgotten story of the Creek Indian Crisis, a conflict of scalpings, famine, and ethnic cleansing that redefined the Emerald Coast.
History of the Emerald Coast: Crestview wins contest for county seat
On this day in 1917 the votes were finalized in Crestview was the winner of the county seat contest in Okaloosa county. Here’s how it went down
History of the Emerald Coast: Camp Walton shelled by Union forces
On April 1, 1862, soldiers of the Union Army fired their cannons at the Walton Guards on the temple mound of Camp Walton and caused them to flee all the way to Boggy Bayou. Here’s how it went down.
Major Expansion Brings New Life to Temple Mound Museum
The Indian Temple Mound Museum will reopen Feb. 28 following a major expansion and months of exhibit renovations, offering free admission for the grand reopening celebration.
Dive Into History: SS United States Reef Project
Okaloosa County has partnered with Visit Pensacola and CCA Florida to transform the historic SS United States into the world’s largest artificial reef. The $2 million project, scheduled for early 2026, aims to enhance marine habitats, attract divers from around the globe, and boost tourism across Northwest Florida.
Okaloosa STEMM Academy Hosts National History Day Showcase
Okaloosa STEMM Academy students participated in a National History Day Showcase on Feb. 27, presenting research projects on the theme “Rights & Responsibilities in History,” with 19 students advancing to the state competition.
