Shalimar, Florida facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shalimar, Florida
Town
Town of Shalimar
Town hall
Motto(s):  "By the Beautiful Water"
Shalimar, Florida Location in Florida Show map of Florida Shalimar, Florida Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Okaloosa
Settled (Port Dixie)	1943-1944
Incorporated (Town of Shalimar)	June 1947
Government
• Type	Commission-Manager
Area
• Total	0.29 sq mi (0.75 km2)
• Land	0.29 sq mi (0.75 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	13 ft (4 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	737
• Density	2,541.38/sq mi (981.05/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (CDT)
ZIP code	32579
Area code(s)	850
FIPS code	12-65425

Shalimar is a small town in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. It is part of the larger Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin, Florida area. In 2020, about 737 people lived there. The town's motto is "By the Beautiful Water."

The Story of Shalimar

Shalimar started as a community called Port Dixie between 1943 and 1944. It was built to provide homes for military officers working at the nearby Eglin Field. A developer named Clifford H. Meigs built 160 houses for these families.

Early Plans for Port Dixie

Before Shalimar became a town, there were big plans for the Port Dixie area. In 1927, a railroad company wanted to build a railway line. A company also planned to build a large harbor and a city with wide streets. However, these big plans never happened.

Building Homes for Military Families

In 1942, Clifford Meigs began building new homes. These homes were badly needed for officers at the growing Eglin Field. This land was bought from James E. Plew. The first 50 homes were almost finished by May 1942. The whole project cost about $350,000.

Shalimar Gets a Post Office

A new post office opened in Shalimar on July 1, 1943. Clifford H. Meigs became the first postmaster. Before this, mail for the community was handled through Valparaiso, Florida.

Becoming an Official Town

The Town of Shalimar officially became a municipality in June 1947. Clifford Meigs was its first mayor. The town decided to incorporate to help local businesses. Clifford Meigs served as mayor until he passed away in 1960. His brother, Clyde Meigs, then took over. The first elected mayor was James P. Tras in 1965.

Local Businesses and Entertainment

In 1948, Shalimar had a store, a service station, and the Shalimar Club. The 160 homes were rented out by two companies. In 1950, the Florida Drive-In Theatre opened. It could hold 280 cars and showed movies outdoors. This drive-in closed in 1973. Today, a church and a furniture store are on that land.

A concrete company, Louis Woodham Concrete Company, was set up in 1956. It helped build up the Shalimar area. It received materials by boats across the Choctawhatchee Bay. This company closed in the late 1970s.

Naming Streets and Areas

Many streets in Shalimar are named after its founding family. Meigs Drive, Clifford Drive, and Sara Drive honor Clifford Meigs and his family. Carl Brandt Drive and Gardner Drive are named after former commanders of Eglin Air Force Base.

Where is Shalimar Located?

Shalimar is located at about 30.444398 degrees North and -86.581904 degrees West. The town covers about 0.3 square miles (0.75 square kilometers) of land.

Shalimar's Weather

The weather in Shalimar has hot, humid summers. Winters are generally mild. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.

Who Lives in Shalimar?

The town's population has changed over the years. In 1950, 694 people lived there. By 2020, the population grew to 737 people.

Shalimar's Population by Race (2010 and 2020)

In 2020, there were 737 people living in Shalimar. There were 329 households and 206 families.

Shopping and Services in Shalimar

Shalimar has one main road for businesses, called Eglin Parkway. Most businesses are close to this road. You can find office parks, restaurants, convenience stores, a furniture store, and a hotel. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's offices are also located in Shalimar. A new county administration building was built in 2014, offering various public services.

Schools in Shalimar

Clifford Meigs, one of the town's founders, donated land for a school. This school became Choctawhatchee High School, which opened in 1952. Later, in 1969, a new high school was built in Fort Walton Beach. The old school was renamed Clifford Meigs Junior High School, and is now Clifford Meigs Middle School. The football field there is called Meigs Stadium. Shalimar Elementary School and Longwood Elementary School are also in the area. Many schools in Okaloosa County are known for being high-achieving.

Shalimar Public Library

The Shalimar Library started in 1996. Residents wanted a non-profit library for the town. Volunteers turned a small log cabin into a library and thrift shop. In 2017, the library moved to a bigger building at 115 Richbourg Avenue.

The new library building was designed by a volunteer architect. This location is also believed to be the final resting place of Augustus "Gus" Tart, an important founder of the Fort Walton Beach community. He was a former slave who became a well-known hunting and fishing expert. The library has created a special memorial for him.

The library is run entirely by over 50 volunteers. It is supported by membership fees and money from the thrift store inside the building. The thrift store sells donated items like clothes, shoes, toys, and books. Anyone in Okaloosa County can become a member for $15 a year. Membership gives you access to books, CDs, magazines, and internet access. You can also join book clubs and children's programs.

Famous People from Shalimar

• George E."Bud" Day: A former Medal of Honor recipient and Prisoner of War during the Vietnam War. He was a Colonel in the USAF.
• Leroy J. Manor: A former U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General.

Images for kids

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  A robot for kids

See also

In Spanish: Shalimar (Florida) para niños