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Walton County History

In the spring of 1818, the Euchee Chief Sam Story, who was on a traveling visit to Pensacola, invited Nell McLennan and Daniel D. Campbell to join him.  This was the start of a migration of emigrants of Scottish decent from the Carolinas.  The original settlement was at Eucheeanna near Bruce Creek. This was the Walton County seat from 1828 until 1890, when the seat was moved to its current location of DeFuniak Springs. 

With its location on Choctawhatchee Bay, Freeport was founded in the 1830s as a port for commerce, cattle, lumber and naval stores.  Red Bay was also founded in the 1820s, Paxton in the 1830s.  While the beach area had limited population, the construction of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge over the Bay in 1946 facilitated growth along the coast.

The County's early settlers were stockmen working sheep and cattle.  In the late 1800s and early 1900s, naval stores and timber played an important part in the county's economy. 

Walton County boasts the highest point in the state of Florida at 345 feet above sea level near Lakewood.  It also is home to the oldest library in the state in its original building in DeFuniak Springs, the state's oldest organized Presbyterian Church, which was founded on May 27, 1827. It also has the first confederate war memorial monument to honor those from the county who fell in the Civil War.  The memorial was first located in Eucheeanna at the Euchee Valley Presbyterian Church; in the 1890s it was moved to its present location on the court house grounds in DeFuniak Springs.

Grayton beach is the oldest of all Walton County’s Beach Communities. From as early as the 1890’s, families from DeFuniak Springs and Chipley began making Grayton Beach their vacation destination. In 1920, Grayton Beach became a guard station for beach patrol, at that time the pristine beaches were patrolled by horses. It is said that in those days one could spend days on the untouched beaches with little to no human contact. In 1981, Seaside became the symbol for small town southern living. Since then the beach communities of Walton County have seen much growth and development yet manage to maintain their original charm and quaintness of the area.

Communities

Beaches of South Walton

Over 26 miles of sugar white sands are gently caressed by the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along Walton County’s shorelines. From east to west, Beaches of South Walton is the first destination with all its beach communities certified as “Blue Wave Beaches”, which recognizes them as clean, safe and environmentally friendly. Sunrises and sunsets over the waters — the Gulf, Choctawhatchee Bay and the costal dune lakes - are sights not to be missed. The 19 beach communities from Inlet Beach to Miramar Beach offer visitors an opportunity to relax, watch dolphin play offshore, and enjoy unspoiled nature like nowhere else. Popular outdoor activities include surfing, snorkeling, boating, fishing, biking, hiking and camping.


City of DeFuniak Springs

Beautiful historic DeFuniak Springs is located in the heart of the panhandle at the crossroads of Highway 331 and Interstate 10 in Walton County, Florida. DeFuniak Springs is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. The city is governed by a Mayor and five City Council Members. In the downtown area you will find a natural round lake which is one mile and a quarter in radius. Lake DeFuniak is surrounded by beautiful historic homes, along with The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, and the oldest operating library in the state. A refurbished train depot that is now used as a museum and an open-air amphitheater with a seating capacity of 1,371 can also be found at Lake DeFuniak. DeFuniak Springs is a small, friendly, full service city with a population estimated at 7,000. A beautiful small airport is joined with a 160-acre industrial park. The City contains several recreational parks. DeFuniak Springs is a very peaceful place to live. Once you are located in DeFuniak Springs, you will never want to leave.


City of Freeport

The Freeport area had its first settlers about 1830 when early Walton County pioneers were attracted to the natural waterways of the area. Many different families established “landings” along the waterways of LaGrange Bayou, Mallet Bayou, and Four Mile Creek.

A post office was established in Freeport on June 7, 1871. At that time there was even a boardwalk connecting downtown Freeport with the mill at Beatrice Point. The waterfront was very busy. Steamboats came and went on a regular schedule. However, the coming of the railroad and “timbering out” of the land brought Freeport’s population down from more than 1,000 in 1925 to the tenacious hundreds who stayed during the depression.

The City of Freeport was incorporated on July 10, 1963, in order to receive tax revenue from the State of Florida to help pay for the purchase of a fire truck. The structure of the government is a mayor and five seated council members. Each term in 2 years in length with jagged seat terms. Currently Mickey Marse is the Mayor and Council members are Jean Arrant, Scott Brannon, Mike Helton, Earl King and Janice McLean. There are approximately 15 City employees within general administration, water and the sewer department.

Today, the City of Freeport again has more than 1,200 residents. The City provides water and sewer service to our citizens and the surrounding area. In the summer of 2004 the City plans on opening the first public swimming pool facility in town and the County. Freeport has received several commitments from Industrial business, commercial businesses and residential developers that will be locating in Freeport in the near future. The word is OUT, Freeport will soon become the paradise for the average income family to live and raise their children. There are a dozen churches and a variety of locally owned businesses located in the community.

USDA Rural Development recognized the City with the covenant award of the Rural Community of the Year in 2003. This award represents the presence of leadership, economic development, and community service.

For more information about the City of Freeport, please contact Freeport City Hall by phone at 850-835-2822 or by e-mail at cityclerk@freeportflorida.gov


City of Paxton

The City Paxton was incorporated in 1953 and has a population of 658. Paxton borders on the Alabama-Florida Line on Hwy. 331 North. Florala, the town that it borders has a state park that accommodates camping, RV’s and a large natural lake that offers fishing, skiing and swimming. Paxton is conveniently located 25 miles north of DeFuniak Springs, FL where the courthouse is located and some of the most beautiful historical homes. Paxton is approximately 60-90 minutes from the world’s most beautiful beaches, Blue Mountain, Seagrove and Sandestin.

The “Highest Point” in Florida is located approximately 3 miles from Paxton on County Road 147 West. Paxton’s School is K12 and has approximately 650 students and 42 teachers. Paxton School offers top quality education and also has produced State Titles in Basketball and excels as well in Baseball, Softball and Track. Paxton has a Dixie League and T-ball, which has over 200 participants. Paxton’s Ruritan Club sponsors annually “The Heritage Day” at Paxton, which is held every October and provides arts, crafts, food, vendors, car shows and activities for all ages. Paxton is a quiet, friendly, small community with several small businesses, a chiropractic clinic, City Hall, Post Office and churches. Paxton is a wonderful place to raise a family, to retire and enjoy life simply.

Schools

BAY EARLY EDUCATION CENTER | 118 Gilmore Street, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
PRINCIPLE | RONITA HINOTE Teacher on Special Assignment
Main (850) 622-5051 | Fax  (850) 622-5059 | Auto Attendant (850) 622-5050
 
COMMUNITY EDUCATION/SPICE | 761 North 20th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL  32433
PRINCIPLE | GAIL COLE, Director
Main (850) 892-1245 | Fax (850) 892-1247
 
FREEPORT ELEMENTARY | 15381 U.S. Hwy 331 South, Freeport, FL 32439 
PRINCIPLE | TRACEY DICKEY / TAMMY SMITH, Assistant
Main (850) 892-1211 | Fax (850) 892-1219 | NO Auto Attendant
 
FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL | 12615 U.S. Hwy 331 South , Freeport, FL 32439
PRINCIPLE | KENNETH HULION
Main (850) 892-1201 | Fax (850)-892-1209 | Auto Attendant (850) 892-1200

FREEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL | 360 Kylea Laird Drive, Freeport, FL 32439 
PRINCIPLE | EDWIN CUCHENS
Main (850) 892-1221 | Fax (850)-892-1229 | NO Auto Attendant
 
MAUDE SAUNDERS ELEMENTARY | 416 John Baldwin Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
PRINCIPLE | SONYA ALFORD / GREG DOUGLASS, Assistant
Main (850) 892-1261 | Fax (850) 892-1269 | Auto Attendant (850) 892-1260
 
PAXTON ELEM-HIGH SCHOOL | 21893 U.S. Hwy 331 North, Paxton, FL 32538
PRINCIPLE | MARK EWING / STEVE ALFORD, Assistant
Main (850) 892-1231 | Fax (850) 892-1239 | Auto Attendant (850) 892-1230

SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL (Charter School) | 10 Smolian Circle, Seaside, FL 32435
PRINCIPLE | SHIRLEY FOSTER
Main (850) 231-0396 | Fax (850) 231-4725

SOUTH WALTON HIGH SCHOOL | 645 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL  32459
PRINCIPLE | MARISSA BENTON / TRIPP HOPE, Assistant
Main (850) 622-5021 | Fax  (850) 622-5039 | Auto Attendant (850) 622-5020

VAN R. BUTLER ELEMENTARY | 6694 West Co. Hwy 30-A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
PRINCIPLE | GAIL SMITH
Main (850) 622-5041 | Fax (850) 622-5048 | Auto Attendant (850) 622-5040

WALTON ACADEMY (Charter School) | 389 Dorsey Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, FL  32435
PRINCIPLE | JERRY WHITE, Director / DONAL MCALLISTER, Assistant
Main (850) 892-3999 | Fax (850) 892-7854 | NO Auto Attendant

WALTON COUNTY VO-TECH | 761 North 20th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433   
PRINCIPLE | GAIL COLE, Director
Main (850) 892-1241 | Fax  (850) 892-1249 | Auto Attendant (850) 892-1240

WALTON HIGH SCHOOL  | 555 Walton Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
PRINCIPLE | MIKE DAVIS / ELINOR CAMPBELL, Assistant / TERRY SHOAF, Assistant
Main (850) 892-1271 | Fax (850) 892-1279 | Auto Attendant (850) 892-1270

WALTON LEARNING CENTER | 286 Gene Hurley Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL  32435
PRINCIPLE | JERRY WHITE, Director / DONALD MCALLISTER, Assistant
Main (850) 892-8580 | Fax (850) 892-8584 | NO Auto Attendant

WALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL | 625 Park Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
PRINCIPLE | JOYCE KELLY / RUSSELL HUGHES, Assistant / VIVIAN POWELL, Assistant
Main (850) 892-1281 | Fax (850)-892-1289 | Auto Attendant  (850) 892-1280

WEST DEFUNIAK ELEMENTARY | 815 Lincoln Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
PRINCIPLE | CARLENE ANDERSON
Main (850) 892-1251 | Fax (850) 892-1259 | Auto Attendant  (850) 892-1250

Phone: 850-951-2019

Phone: 850-951-2018