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54-464: Fort Walton Beach , often referred to by the initialism FWB , is a city in southern Okaloosa County, Florida , United States. As of the 2020 U.S. census , the population was 20,922, up from 19,507 in 2010. It is a principal city of the Crestview −Fort Walton Beach− Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . Fort Walton Beach is a year-round fishing and beach resort community . Its busiest time of

108-444: A "suppressed weapon" and believed that he had been shot: "I felt an impact on my right side, like upper torso area … I feel the impact. My legs just give out." The Sheriff's Office's stated that while Roberts' shooting was reasonable, Hernandez's shooting was "not objectively reasonable", but "we do believe [Hernandez] felt his life was in immediate peril". In May 2024, an Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputy fatally shot Roger Fortson ,

162-523: A United States Air Force member, in Fortson's home in Fort Walton Beach. According to body camera footage, when the deputy visited an apartment, Fortson opened the apartment door holding a gun in his right hand, with the gun held by his side and pointed downwards. As the door opened, the deputy told Fortson to "step back" and immediately shot Fortson. Fortson falls to the floor, and it is only then that

216-447: A boardwalk, casino, restaurant, dance pavilion, "40 modernly equipped beach cottages", and concession stands which was largely destroyed by fire on Saturday, March 7, 1942. Wartime supply restrictions prevented a reconstruction. This 875-acre parcel of Santa Rosa Island with three miles of Gulf frontage was conveyed to Okaloosa County on July 8, 1950, in an informal ceremony at the county courthouse in Crestview, Florida . The county paid

270-473: A female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% are non-families. 28.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 2.85. In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

324-533: A large snowbird population, which includes the Fort Walton Beach Snowbird Club. The Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival is held annually in June. According to Fort Walton Beach's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city were: Okaloosa County, Florida Okaloosa County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Florida , extending from

378-569: A median income of $ 35,000 versus $ 28,337 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,367. About 11% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over. Santa Rosa Medical Center (SRMC) is a 129-bed general hospital in Milton. SRMC is the primary provider of hospital-based healthcare services and emergency medicine in Santa Rosa County. Milton

432-697: A new hospital began that year, and in December 1972, the Santa Rosa Medical Center was opened. On March 31, 1962 , an F3 tornado hit the northwest side of Milton, causing 17 deaths and 100 injuries. It was Florida's deadliest tornado until February 22, 1998 , when 25 people were killed in Kissimmee by another F3 tornado. It was also the deadliest tornado in 1962. Milton is located at 30°34′56″N 87°05′12″W  /  30.582332°N 87.086700°W  / 30.582332; -87.086700 . , near

486-793: A trace of snow was on January 28, 2014. The last report of freezing rain was on February 11, 2010. The Köppen climate classification subtype for this climate is humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ), Nearby Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (airport code VPS) serves Fort Walton Beach, as well as Valparaiso, Florida . Airlines that currently serve Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport are Allegiant Airlines, American Eagle, Southwest, Delta Air Lines, and Delta Connection. They provide non-stop service to Atlanta, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Knoxville, Memphis, Oklahoma City, and St. Louis. Okaloosa County Transit provides public transportation throughout Fort Walton Beach as well as Okaloosa County . Its main stop and transfer location

540-618: A water-powered saw mill at what is now Locklin Lake between 1828 and 1830. Other names were Lumberton, Black Water, and Hard Scrabble, but by 1839, it was being referred to as Milltown. Milton was incorporated as a town in 1844, one year before the Territory of Florida joined the United States as the 27th state. During the Civil War , much of Milton was burned by Confederate forces retreating from

594-456: Is Uptown Station located on State Road 85, a little over 1 mile north of US 98. State Road 189 is a north–south highway from State Road 85 to US 98 in downtown Fort Walton Beach. State Road 85 is a north–south highway that leads north 27 mi (43 km) to Crestview , the Okaloosa County seat (also along Interstate 10 ), and ends at US 98 in downtown Fort Walton Beach. US 98

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648-489: Is an east–west highway, which runs through downtown Fort Walton Beach. The Brooks Bridge over the Santa Rosa Sound connects downtown Fort Walton Beach with Okaloosa Island , which is along the route of US 98. US 98 leads east 9 mi (14 km) to Destin and west 41 mi (66 km) to Pensacola . As of the 2020 United States census , there were 20,922 people, 9,246 households, and 5,195 families residing in

702-470: Is described at "40 deaths a day" in a Spanish map dated 1566. In later English and French maps the area was noted as "Baya Santa Rosa" or "Bay St. Rose". A number of Spanish artifacts, including a portion of brigantine leather armor, are housed in the Indian Temple Mound Museum. Contrary to popular belief, there is no documentary evidence of pirates using the area as a base of operations. Piracy

756-474: Is home to the Air Force Materiel Command 's Air Force Life Cycle Management Center 's Armament Directorate and the 96th Test Wing , Air Combat Command 's 53rd Wing , and Air Education Training Command 's 33rd Fighter Wing . Eglin is geographically one of the largest Air Force bases at 724 square miles (1,880 km), and thus home to joint exercises, and missile and bomb testing. For example,

810-629: Is now Panama City Beach, Florida in 1528 to Texas, "Then we set out to sea again, coasting towards the River of Palms. Every day our thirst and hunger increased because our supplies were giving out, as well as the water supply, for the pouches we had made from the legs of our horses soon became rotten and useless. From time to time we would enter some inlet or cove that reached very far inland, but we found them all shallow and dangerous, and so we navigated through them for thirty days, meeting sometimes Indians who fished and were poor and wretched people". The area

864-711: Is now Fort Walton Beach (the area was originally named "Anderson"). Two of the first settlers were John Anderson and Andrew A. Alvarez, who received land plots in 1838. The name "Anderson" is noted on maps from 1838 to 1884. It was not until 1911 that the name "Camp Walton" appeared on Florida maps. In 1861, Camp Walton was a Confederate Army camp, a fortified post, made up of the "Walton Guards", an independent Company of Florida Volunteer Infantry from Walton County. At this time, Okaloosa County did not yet exist. Walton County received its name from Col. George Walton, who served as secretary of West Florida during Andrew Jackson 's governorship (1821–1822) and whose father, George Walton Sr.,

918-689: Is served by the Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative. Formed in October 1997, the Cooperative originally included the county and the cities of Crestview, Mary Esther, and Niceville. The cities of Fort Walton Beach, Valparaiso, and Destin all joined the Cooperative by the year 2000. The Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative is governed by an independent, inter-governmental agency with seven members. Emerald Coast Rider (formerly Okaloosa County Transit ) operates bus services in

972-455: Is summer and the driest season is autumn, although flood season continues into autumn. Snow and freezing rain are very rare. Freezing rain occurs about once every 5 to 10 years. Snow occurs about once every 10 to 15 years. The most recent measurable snowfall was on January 31, 1977, when about 1 inch (25 mm) fell in Fort Walton Beach, while 3 inches (76 mm) fell on Crestview , about 27 miles (43 km) inland. The most recent report of

1026-592: The Choctaw language . The name may have come from the related language spoken by the Chatot and other peoples of the Florida Panhandle. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,082 square miles (2,800 km ), of which 930 square miles (2,400 km ) is land and 152 square miles (390 km ) (14.0%) is water. Fort Walton Beach and three United States Air Force bases, ( Duke Field in

1080-664: The Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line. As of the 2020 census, the population was 211,668. Its county seat is Crestview . Okaloosa County is included in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area . Okaloosa County was created by an act passed on September 7, 1915, formed from the eastern ranges of Santa Rosa County and the western ranges of Walton County . Okaloosa means "black water" ( oka means "water" and lusa means "black") in

1134-479: The Pensacola Metropolitan Area . The city was first Incorporated in 1844, however certain areas such as East Milton , Point Baker , and Bagdad remain unincorporated. Milton is located in the geographic center of Santa Rosa County, and it is bordered by Pace to the west, and Navarre to the south. As of 2020, the population of the city of Milton was 10,197, up from 8,826 at the 2010 census. Milton

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1188-644: The Union capture of Pensacola on May 2–4 of 1862. The Confederates intended to prevent the town's industries from falling into Union hands. After the Southern forces evacuated, the Union troops had a small garrison in nearby Bagdad , where they had a base for expeditions in the surrounding area. Many Milton residents fled to Alabama . In the early days of Milton, it was known as an extremely rough town. Judges from Escambia County sentenced criminals to be confined to Milton, which

1242-651: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 21.3 km (8.2 sq mi), of which 19.3 km (7.5 sq mi) is land and 2 km (0.77 sq mi), or 9.26%, is water. Fort Walton Beach experiences hot and very humid summers, generally from late May to mid-September. Autumns, from mid-September to early December, are generally warm. Winters are very short and mild, from mid-December to late February. Springs are warm, from late February to late May. Fort Walton Beach averages 55.35 inches of rain each year. The wettest season

1296-561: The poverty line , including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those aged 65 or over. The economy of Fort Walton Beach is driven by two primary factors: tourism and the military. There are two major Air Force bases which border Fort Walton Beach. Hurlburt Field is home to Headquarters, Air Force Special Operations Command ( AFSOC ), the 1st Special Operations Wing , and the Joint Special Operations University. Eglin AFB

1350-401: The 'Massive Ordnance Air Blast' or 'Mother of All Bombs' ( MOAB ) was first tested at Eglin AFB on March 11, 2003. There is support industry in the area that benefits from the presence of the bases, including military contractors and the service industry. The tourism industry is seasonal, with summer being the primary season, and a smaller peak season during spring break. The area also boasts

1404-418: The 2010 census, 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.94. According to

1458-431: The 2010 census, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.50 males. In 2015, the median income for a household in the county was $ 55,880. The per capita income for

1512-729: The Indian Temple Mound and displaying them at camp. The post was abandoned in August 1862, and the "Walton Guards" were assigned to reinforce the 1st Florida Infantry Regiment, with duty in the Western Theatre on the Tennessee front. On April 11, 1879, John Thomas Brooks purchased at a public auction in Milton , Florida, 111 acres in Section 24, Township 2, Range 24 of Santa Rosa County , a portion of

1566-466: The North and Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field are in the south). As of the 2020 United States census , there were 211,668 people, 79,235 households, and 51,719 families residing in the county. As of 2015, there were 198,664 people and 95,494 households. As of the census of 2010,the population density was 194.4 people per square mile (75.1 people/km ). As of 2015, there were 95,494 households. Within

1620-405: The city is 78.84% White , 13.34% African American , 0.45% Native American , 2.72% Asian , 0.08% Pacific Islander , 1.22% from other races, and 3.36% from two or more races. 4.04% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2000, there are 8,460 households out of which 26.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% are married couples living together, 12.6% have

1674-537: The city. At the 2000 census , there were 7,045 people, 2,674 households and 1,831 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,611.1 inhabitants per square mile (622.0/km ). There were 3,151 housing units at an average density of 720.6 per square mile (278.2/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 67.84% White , 25.95% African American , 0.71% Native American , 1.73% Asian , 0.17% Pacific Islander , 1.04% from other races , and 2.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of

Fort Walton Beach, Florida - Misplaced Pages Continue

1728-404: The city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 19,507 people, 8,657 households, and 4,950 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2000 , there are 19,973 people, 8,460 households, and 5,422 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,036.5/km (2,683.0/mi). There are 9,007 housing units at an average density of 467.4/km (1,209.9/mi). The racial makeup of

1782-465: The county in 2004 with 78% of the popular vote and in 2008 the Republican candidate John McCain polled 72%. Mitt Romney won the county in 2012 with 73.80% (70,168) of the popular vote, and Donald Trump won 70.42% (71,893) in 2016. In 2020, Donald Trump won 68.25% of the vote. Milton, Florida Milton is a city and county seat of Santa Rosa County , Florida . It is located within

1836-681: The county was $ 28,902. 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line . The county's public schools come under the Okaloosa County School District . Northwest Florida State College serves over 10,000 residents of Okaloosa County annually for bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certificates. The college maintains four campuses in Okaloosa County: Niceville, Crestview, Ft. Walton Beach, and Hurlburt Field, and one campus in Walton County, FL. Okaloosa County

1890-466: The county. In November 2023 in Fort Walton Beach , Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputy Jesse Hernandez and sergeant Beth Roberts shot multiple times at Hernandez's police car, where a handcuffed and unarmed black suspect had been placed there by police, according to investigators. The suspect was not injured by the shootings. Hernandez in December 2023 resigned from the department. In February 2024, it

1944-621: The deputy tells Fortson: "Drop the gun!" Later in May 2024, a Florida woman sued the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, claiming that on two occasions, once in August 2019 and once in May 2020, they forced her to leave her home while she remained naked during the execution of search warrants, exposing her to law enforcement officers and the public. Okaloosa County is one of the most conservative counties in Florida. Incumbent George W. Bush won

1998-572: The federal government $ 4,000 to complete the transaction, the result of the efforts of Congressman Bob Sikes . The portion of Santa Rosa Island transferred is now known as Okaloosa Island . The remaining Tower Beach summer cottages were removed after the 1955 tourist season as the new Okaloosa Island Authority redeveloped the site with a new hotel and casino. The government was changed to a city manager form. A special census conducted in 1956 listed 9,456 residents, which grew to 11,249 by 1960. The last of three county-owned buildings on Okaloosa Island

2052-550: The mouth of the Blackwater River . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 4.6 square miles (12 km ), of which 4.4 square miles (11 km ) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km ) (4.59%) is water. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 10,197 people, 4,161 households, and 2,239 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 8,826 people, 3,465 households, and 2,252 families residing in

2106-473: The north and west. It was the most complex in the north-west Florida region. The Fort Walton peoples put into practice mound building and intensive agriculture, made pottery in a variety of vessel shapes, and had hierarchical settlement patterns that reflected other Mississippian societies. The first Europeans to set foot in what is now Okaloosa County and the Fort Walton Beach area were members of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca 's party, who traveled by boat from what

2160-410: The population. In 2000, there were 2,674 households, of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female homeowner, and 31.5% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size

2214-508: The property of Henry Penny whose heirs had failed to pay the taxes on the estate. This parcel on the Santa Rosa Sound became what is now downtown Fort Walton Beach. The United States Post Office changed the official name on their cancellations from Camp Walton to Fort Walton on 1 March 1932. The 1940 census counted 90 residents in Fort Walton. Fort Walton was incorporated by a state senate bill effective June 16, 1941. The community's name

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2268-482: The station was named. The first hospital care in Milton began in 1951, when a group of locals formed the Santa Rosa County Hospital Board. The first hospital in Milton, Santa Rosa Hospital, was located on Stewart Street and opened on December 2, 1952. Santa Rosa Hospital had multiple expansions in the 1960s, and by 1970, the hospital was far too small for Milton's growing population. Construction for

2322-483: The year is the summer, causing a boost to the local economy because of seasonal human migration . Prehistoric settlement of Fort Walton Beach is attributed to the mound building " Fort Walton Culture " that flourished from approximately 1100–1550 CE. It is believed that this culture evolved out of the Weeden Island culture . Fort Walton also appeared to come about due to contact with the major Mississippian centers to

2376-420: Was 3.04. In 2000, 27.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males. In 2000, the median household income was $ 37,629, and the median family income was $ 44,261. Males had

2430-415: Was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $ 40,153, and the median income for a family was $ 45,791. Males had a median income of $ 29,709 versus $ 21,641 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 21,085. About 7.3% of families and 9.9% of the population were below

2484-618: Was Milton Amos, pioneer and ancestor of the present Amos family; still others that it was John Milton —not the English poet, but the Civil War governor of Florida." Milton was settled in the early 1800s as a small village centered on the lumber industry. The settlement originally was known as Scratch Ankle because of the briars and bramble that grew in the area. Another name was Jernigan's Landing after Benjamin Jernigan (died April 1847), who built

2538-399: Was announced that an internal investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's office concluded that Hernandez began shooting after hearing the sound of an acorn bouncing off his police car, then Roberts began shooting after hearing Hernandez shooting and screaming, with Hernandez at one point shouting: "I'm hit! I'm hit!". Hernandez had told investigators that he thought he heard a gunshot from

2592-466: Was based in Apalachicola . Bowles was never referred to as "Billy Bowlegs" in period documentation; his Creek name was "Estajoca". During the era of Spanish and English colonization, the area of what was to become Fort Walton Beach was noted in several journals but no worthwhile presence was established. Early settlers of Walton County , Florida were the first to establish permanent settlements in what

2646-447: Was known by various names during its development. Most notable were "Hell-Town" (muggy, inhospitable land covered with briars, mosquitoes, thorns, snakes) "Jernigan's Landing", "Scratch Ankle" (due to the briars that grew along the riverbank), and "Hard Scrabble." According to Florida historian Allen Morris , "Just which Milton was honored by the final name is a dispute. Some say it is a contraction of an earlier Milltown; others that it

2700-554: Was nicknamed "Hell Town" by its residents. An old story from the area tells of the Rough Riders passing through Milton on their "best behavior." Naval Air Station Whiting Field was constructed during World War II with the help of many German prisoners of war who were housed in a camp on the site. The station was commissioned on July 16, 1943, by Rear Admiral George D. Murray and the widow of Captain Kenneth Whiting , after whom

2754-572: Was officially changed from Fort Walton to Fort Walton Beach on June 15, 1953, by agreement with the state legislature in Tallahassee , and incorporated a portion of Santa Rosa Island formerly known as Tower Beach. Tower Beach, named for a tall observation tower at the site which was later destroyed by a hurricane, had been an amusement area operated from 1928 by the Island Amusement Company by future-Fort Walton Beach mayor Thomas E. Brooks, with

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2808-612: Was rampant in the Gulf of Mexico from pirates working out of Hispaniola, the Caribbean, and the Florida Keys. Notable raids occurred in 1683 and 1687 against the Spanish fort at San Marcos de Apalachee (by French and English buccaneers), a 1712 raid against Port Dauphin (now Alabama) by English pirates from Martinique, and the actions of the late 18th-century adventurer William Augustus Bowles , who

2862-589: Was the 56th signatory of the Declaration of Independence. He is also the namesake of Walton County. Camp Walton was located between the Indian Temple Mound, now known as the Heritage Park and Cultural Center, and the Santa Rosa Sound, its mission was to protect the "Narrows" from Union ships. Although the "Walton Guards" did not see much action, they did keep busy by digging up prehistoric Indian remains buried in

2916-553: Was torn down on May 31, 1995. The buildings had originally housed the Okaloosa Island Authority and more recently the Okaloosa County Council on Aging. The 1.3-acre tract on the north side of Santa Rosa Boulevard was sold. Fort Walton Beach is located at 30°25′13″N 86°37′00″W  /  30.420199°N 86.616727°W  / 30.420199; -86.616727 (30.420199, −86.616727). According to

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