The hard-to-find history of Northwest Florida State College
On August 17, 1964, Northwest Florida State College opened its doors as Okaloosa-Walton Junior College. Operating out of a building now housing the Northwest Florida Heritage Museum, the school far exceeded expectations, enrolling over 1,300 students in its first year despite original projections of only 150. Here’s the history of Northwest Florida State College.
Great Britain’s Fierce Florida Abolitionist: Edward Nicolls
On August 13, 1814, a British warship dropped anchor in Pensacola Bay, and with it, a spark landed on the dry tinder of the Emerald Coast. Lieutenant Colonel Edward Nicolls stepped ashore, ready to build a disciplined regiment of British Colonial Marines composed of Black men who had fled the plantations.
Who was Jackie Cochran? More About this FAMOUS Female Flier
From the poverty of a Panhandle cotton mill to the cockpit of an F-86 Sabre, Jacqueline Cochran redefined American aviation. As the leader of the WASPs during WWII and the first woman to break the sound barrier, this Emerald Coast local’s legacy remains a soaring testament to perseverance and innovation.
1950: “Playground City” Sheriff gets suspended by irate governor
Today in History, Governor Fuller Warren removed Okaloosa County Sheriff Isle Enzor amid accusations of lax gambling law enforcement. The removal followed investigations into illegal casino activity at the Magnolia and Shalimar clubs. Discover the full story behind this historical political scandal on the Emerald Coast at midbaynews.com.
HISTORY: Defiant Panhandle Congressman blames media conspiracy for THIS scandal
July 29, 1976, marked a seismic shift for Florida’s Panhandle. U.S. Representative Bob Sikes—the architect of the region’s military-industrial boom—faced a historic reprimand from the House for improper financial disclosures and conflicts of interest. It was a stunning fall from grace that signaled the end of an era of unfettered political power on the Emerald Coast.
FLORIDA HISTORY: Union Forces’ Fearless Raid on Depleted Walton County
In the summer of 1864, the quiet town of Eucheeanna, Florida, braced for invasion. Hungarian-born Union General Alexander Asboth, leading the newly formed 1st Florida Cavalry, Union Volunteers, turned his sights on Northwest Florida. His force, comprised largely of former Confederates who had switched sides, descended upon a militia of old men and boys guarding the county seat. This raid marked the start of Asboth’s aggressive, yet complicated, campaign through the pine forests of the Gulf Coast.
America Ascendant – Deft Maneuvers Lead to Peaceful Capture of Florida
The Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, ratified in 1821, served as a pivotal turning point for the Emerald Coast, marking the transition from Spanish-controlled territory to American frontier. By formally ceding Florida to the United States, the treaty ended Spanish rule and unleashed a wave of American migration into the Panhandle, significantly altering the region’s demographic, economic, and political landscape.
HISTORY: Okaloosa finally integrates its schools
Twelve years after the Brown v. Board ruling, Okaloosa County Schools finally voted to integrate on July 13, 1966. While initial resistance was strong—backed by local politicians and the “Pork Chop Gang” in the state legislature—the district eventually conceded to federal integration mandates to avoid losing critical funding.
The unknown Civil War battle you’ve never heard of at this unique Florida vacation destination
On a quiet summer morning in 1861, a minor skirmish at East Pass, Florida—later dubbed the “Battle of Destin”—marked a tense confrontation between the USS Water Witch and local Confederate militia. This brief, bloodless exchange near the Choctawhatchee Bay reveals the war’s grip on the local community, specifically the family of Leonard Destin, whose loyalties were tested amid the shifting tides of the American Civil War.
CIVIL WAR HISTORY: Destin demands ship’s quick return
When the Civil War reached the bayous of the Choctawhatchee Bay, Leonard Destin, a Connecticut native living in Florida, faced a dangerous dilemma. Suspected of harboring federal sympathies and living as a squatter on naval land, Destin’s life became a high-stakes negotiation when he boarded the USS Water Witch in July 1861 to reclaim his confiscated fishing boat. His actions, intended only to secure his livelihood, inadvertently fueled the suspicions of the local Confederate Walton Guards, placing him and his family at the center of the conflict.
