Who’s on First? That is hard to say when it comes to the native peoples migration to Florida. Various state displays say they showed up about 12,000 years ago. As mentioned in my 2006 South Walton Real Estate Paper posted earlier here on SoWal, there is new evidence of people being in the area over 20,000 ybp. In my presentations over the past years, I mentioned that the migration to this area might have been from the south, not north. The stories of native people in West Florida and Walton County may also have new twists you haven't heard before.

Migration of native peoples in the Americas also has new research being reported. Texas A&M University North Star Archaeological Research Program, with the help of atomic accelerator radiocarbon technology, is rethinking the Clovis people theory.

With the high elevation of Walton County and Northwest Florida in relation to other parts of Florida, it will not be surprising to see some of the earliest people in North America being discovered and documented in and near Walton County. While Miami and Tampa were underwater, South Walton was probably high and dry. See other blogs about sea level, etc.

I lived in Alaska for 11 years and have often thought about that trek from the Arctic North to the Beaches of South Walton. After visiting San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, even driving back with a friend once, in my opinion, the southern route to South Walton is certainly easier.

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Premier Blog event and presentation of early Walton County Land Grants from the research files of Brenda Rees - Shaping Florida. Early land grants for Walton County include the 1828 grants of Hardy Wood, in the Alaqua area, and Catherine McLennon, in the Big Branch area. The following year, 1829, there were a number of land grants issued for Walton County. The 1828 land grants are signed by President John Quincy Adams and the 1829 land grants are signed by President Andrew Jackson.

This list was presented at the Walton County Heritage Association's History Fair in 2008, but the event was virtually rained out. Very few saw the presentation and fewer still realized the significance of the information presented. Besides Wood and McLennon in 1828, the Henry Brackenridge grant in 1829 in Alaqua is also significant as he was a prominent judge in early Florida Territorial days. Later, Territorial Governor Andrew Jackson and Brackenridge had serious political differences. Brackenridge and George Walton, Jr, Walton County 's namesake, didn't hit it off at first, but Brackenridge later eased his feelings about George Walton, Jr. Judge Brackenridge was also Octavia Walton's tutor and later dear friend and correspondent. Pictures and some grants to be posted.

All pictures (c) Brenda Rees All Rights Reserved

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The Walton County Heritage Museum in DeFuniak Springs, Florida is located at 1140 Circle Drive. Hours are Wednesday - Saturday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and admission is free. Donations are appreciated. On your next trip or visit to the Beaches of South Walton in Walton County, Florida, be sure to plan a day trip north to visit this authentic and unique venue. Walton County, founded December 29, 1824, was the eighth county created in Florida and is as beautiful as it is historic. photographs (c) Brenda Rees All Rights Reserved

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BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT!!!! COME RELAX AND VIEW HISTORICAL VIDEOS AND ENJOY HISTORIC DISPLAYS.


The historic DeFuniak Springs Train Depot is home to the Walton County Heritage Museum. A visit to Walton County is not complete without visiting this authentic building and site.


The L&N Caboose is open for special tours on Fourth of July. You can walk about and enjoy the railroad history of Florida. Northwest Florida and Walton County had thousands of visitors coming to enjoy the culture and education of the area in the 19th century. It was very much in fashion to travel...

Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert, daughter of Walton County, Florida's namesake, also went to London and met the Queen. She was presented to Queen Victoria during her European tour of 1853. Later, Octavia would attend special events in New York honoring the Queen's son, the Prince of Wales. Octavia wrote "Souvenirs of Travel" in 1857 detailing her two European trips and meetings with the rich and famous of the world. This is a picture of my 1857 edition of Octavia's book and a page where she discusses the Queen.


Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert was a Vice Regent for the Mount Vernon society charged to preserve and save the home of President George Washington. Octavia's grandfather, George Walton, had signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the American Revolution and was a friend of George Washington. Walton County, Florida was named for her father, George Walton, Jr. Picture by (my mom) Gloria...

SHAPING FLORIDA -- BRENDA REES

Mirabeau Lamar was the Vice President of The Republic of Texas under Sam Houston in 1836 and President in 1838. Lamar was also a good friend and frequent house guest of Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert, daughter of Walton County, Florida's namesake, George Walton, Jr. I would surmise that they talked about the goings on of Walton County, Florida during some of their visits. The Waltons left Florida in 1835 and moved to Mobile, Alabama. Like Poe, Lamar was so impressed with Octavia, he wrote a poem about her. BE SURE TO LOG ON TO SEE PICTURES.

Here are a few pictures of houses and buildings in Huntsville, Texas, home of Sam Houston. Lamar certainly knew of these and probably visited them. Lamar, after he first met Octavia, was editor of the Columbus, Ga. Enquirer. Later, they had many mutual friends, including Richard Henry Wilde of New Orleans. They gathered in many Soirees at Octavia's home in Mobile, similar I'm sure of the Soirees of SoWal.

Photographs (c) Brenda Rees All Rights Reserved

Sam Houston's home in Huntsville, Texas. Mirabeau Lamar was Vice President...