Okaloosa Island, Florida facts for kids
Okaloosa Island is a beautiful stretch of land located on Santa Rosa Island in Florida, United States. It's a popular spot known for its stunning beaches and fun activities.
Quick facts for kids
Okaloosa Island, Florida
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Contents
How Okaloosa Island Became Part of the County
Okaloosa Island wasn't always owned by Okaloosa County. For a long time, it was federal land.
A Special Land Deal
On July 8, 1950, a big piece of land on Santa Rosa Island was officially given to Okaloosa County. This area was about 875 acres, which is like 875 football fields! It also had 3 miles of beachfront along the Gulf of Mexico.
The county paid the United States government $4,000 for this land. This deal happened thanks to the hard work of a person called a Congressman. A Congressman is an elected official who represents people in a specific area, like Bob Sikes did for this part of Florida. He helped make sure the land could be transferred to the county.
The Story of Tower Beach
Before it was known as Okaloosa Island, this area had a different name: Tower Beach. It was a lively place, especially in the 1930s.
Fun Times at Tower Beach
Tower Beach was once home to an exciting amusement park. It also had a boardwalk, which is a wooden walkway along the beach, and a hotel. People could visit a casino, enjoy meals at a restaurant, and grab snacks from concession stands. A man named Thomas E. Brooks ran these attractions. His family is also remembered because a bridge, the Brooks Bridge, was named after them.
A Fire Changes Everything
Sadly, much of Tower Beach was destroyed by a large fire. This happened on Saturday, March 7, 1942. The fire caused a lot of damage to the boardwalk, casino, restaurant, and other buildings.
Because of World War II, it was a difficult time for the country. There were more important things to focus on, like helping with the war effort. This meant that the amusement park and other attractions at Tower Beach could not be rebuilt.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, Okaloosa Island has continued to change and develop.
County Buildings and New Uses
For a while, there were three buildings on Okaloosa Island that belonged to the county. These buildings were used by different groups, including the Okaloosa Island Authority. Later, they housed the Okaloosa County Council on Aging, which helps older people.
On May 31, 1995, the last of these county-owned buildings was taken down. The land where they stood, which was about 1.3 acres, was then sold. This area is on the north side of Santa Rosa Boulevard, a main road on the island.
