Wynnehaven Beach in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Dr. Beal's Shell Museum
Photographed By David J Gaines, April 8, 2013
1. Dr. Beal's Shell Museum Marker
Inscription.
Dr. Beal's Shell Museum. . Dr. James Hartley Beal (1861-1945) was an influential pharmacist, chemist, lawyer, educator, and scientist. Despite his busy life, he began collecting land and marine shells, purchasing his first specimen, in 1888. The Fort Walton Beach resident bought this house in early 1928. The building was used by Dr. Beal as his office and housed his extensive shell collection. By 1940, his collection had grown to be one of the largest shell collections in the world. The nearly two million shells were donated to Rollins College, where they remained on display until 1988. They were then transferred to the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida, Gainesville. The house was extensively remodeled and converted into the Summerhouse Restaurant, which operated there from the 1980s until 2004. It was originally located at 2 Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. The building was slated for demolition in the fall of 2004. In order to save the building, Dr. Beal’s Shell Museum was purchased and moved by barge to its present location.
Dr. James Hartley Beal (1861-1945) was an influential pharmacist, chemist, lawyer, educator, and scientist. Despite his busy life, he began collecting land and marine shells, purchasing his first specimen, in 1888. The Fort Walton Beach resident bought this house in early 1928. The building was used by Dr. Beal as his office and housed his extensive shell collection. By 1940, his collection had grown to be one of the largest shell collections in the world. The nearly two million shells were donated to Rollins College, where they remained on display until 1988. They were then transferred to the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida, Gainesville. The house was extensively remodeled and converted into the Summerhouse Restaurant, which operated there from the 1980s until 2004. It was originally located at 2 Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. The building was slated for demolition in the fall of 2004. In order to save the building, Dr. Beal’s Shell Museum was purchased and moved by barge to its present location.
Erected 2007 by Hubert Alan Laird and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-616.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 30° 24.646′
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N, 86° 46.568′ W. Marker is in Wynnehaven Beach, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Marker is on U.S. 98, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mary Esther FL 32569, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2013, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,290 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on April 21, 2013. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 9, 2013, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
