Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fort Walton

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 7, 2018

1. Fort Walton Marker

Marker after restoration.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Originally called Camp Walton, this Confederate installation, constructed in 1861 to guard East Pass, was garrisoned by a company of Florida militia called the "Walton Guards". Several small skirmishes with federal landing parties occurred near here. The Camp was abandoned following the Confederate evacuation of Pensacola, and the garrison, a part of the First Florida Infantry Regiment, was assigned to duty on the Tennessee front in early 1862.

Erected 1968 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. (Marker Number F-94.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 30° 24.233′ N, 86° 36.447′ W. Marker is in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Marker is on Miracle Strip Parkway SE (U.S. 98) west of Florida Place SE, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 139 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach FL 32548, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Okaloosa County Desert Storm Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Story of the Fort Walton Temple Mound

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Preserving and Protecting the Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Story of the Fort Walton Temple Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Preserving and Protecting the Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); Gulfview Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indianola Inn, An Indian Midden Mound, and Civil War Cannons (about 600 feet away); Bud & Dorie Day Patriots' Trail (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Walton Beach.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Camp Walton - Confederate Fort at Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Explore Southern History entry. (Submitted on October 11, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker restored and re-installed...
The Indian Mound Museum manager reported in 2016 that "it was removed several years ago when

Fort Walton Marker and surrounding area looking west along US 98 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 7, 2018

2. Fort Walton Marker and surrounding area looking west along US 98

there was construction along Highway 98, then it was returned. We took it down last year for cleaning and repair. Although it is not up right now – we hope to return it to that location later this year."

Tim Fillmon, who restores Florida historical markers for the whole state, restored the marker in 2018 and it looks great.

— Submitted November 20, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Marker was missing, only pole was left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 29, 2016

3. Marker was missing, only pole was left.

The cannon in the background is reported to have been found buried in the Indianola mound and is thought to have been the cannon spiked and buried as the Walton Guards left the area for service elsewhere. The Indianola mound marker can be seen a few hundred yards south of here.

Fort Walton Marker from 1993. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, 1993

4. Fort Walton Marker from 1993.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 377 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on November 20, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on November 20, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.