Keaton Beach, Florida facts for kids
Keaton Beach is a small community located on the Gulf coast in the southern part of Taylor County, Florida, United States. It's about 22.5 mi (36.2 km) south of Perry, which is the main town in the county. Keaton Beach is known for its natural beauty and quiet atmosphere.
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The Story of Keaton Beach
Local stories say that Keaton Beach was named after two brothers, Abb and Sam Keaton. They were among the first people to settle in this area. Their family originally had cotton farms. But over time, they started focusing on fishing, especially for mullet.
In the early 1900s, mullet fishing became very important in Taylor County. People from south Georgia and north Florida would come to Keaton Beach to buy fish. They would salt the fish to save it for winter. This made mullet a common food for families in the region.
Later, in the 1920s, Captain W. Alston "Cap'n" Brown became involved with the area. He owned a turpentine business nearby. The Keaton brothers worked with him, and he officially named the beach in their honor. Over the years, Keaton Beach has had different owners. Today, it's mostly a residential area with many homes owned by individual families.
Life in Early Keaton Beach
Long ago, Keaton Beach was a very small community. It had just two houses, a special building called a pavilion, a sawmill, a church, a store, and a few homes for workers. The pavilion was built by Captain Brown in the early 1900s. It was later used by Mr. Howard and Mr. Kelly to fix their fishing nets.
However, the pavilion quickly became a popular spot for friends and families to gather in the evenings. People would meet there for fun. One local person remembered that "The pavilion was a fun place to square dance at night." Later, it also became a place where fishermen could stay during the day and a dance hall and restaurant at night.
In 1946, the Stephens family bought the Keaton Beach property. They often visited Keaton Beach for weekend trips. Eventually, a company called Keaton Beach, Inc. bought a large piece of land, about 337 acres, which included the beach area. This deal included the Keaton Beach restaurant, the pavilion, and eight small cottages. The land also stretched along the Gulf coast and Blue Creek.
Major Storms and Weather
Keaton Beach has faced some powerful storms. On March 13, 1993, a huge storm known as "The Storm of the Century" hit the beach without much warning. It caused a lot of damage. Sadly, some people in the nearby community of Dekle Beach lost their lives during this storm.
More recently, Hurricane Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach on August 30, 2023. This hurricane also brought strong winds and heavy rain to the area.
What's Happening at Keaton Beach Today?
Today, Keaton Beach is home to Taylor County's main public beach. It has sandy shores, a fishing pier, and a children's play area called Hodges Park. It also has the county's main public boat ramp, which is managed by Taylor County.
Keaton Beach is very popular in the summer for "scalloping." This is when people go into the shallow waters to collect scallops. It's also a great place for fishing, offering many chances for people who love to fish in Florida.
