Niceville in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Niceville Fire
1934
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 9, 2022
1. Niceville Fire 1934 Marker
Inscription.
Niceville Fire of 1934, as reported in local newspapers: “The 200 CCC men formed bucket brigades and in cooperation with the fire crews of the Choctawhatchee National Forest did yeomen service in saving buildings and stocks of merchandise after three grocery stores, a dry goods store, creamery, post office building, hotel, drug store and fish warehouses were destroyed. The loss is estimated at $100,000 (worth $2,000,000 in 2021) with little insurance. There was no running water with which to combat the flames and it appeared for a time that the town would be completely destroyed until the forest firefighters and CCC workers took charge.” (Gadsden County Times, January 25, 1934) “While the ruins were still smoldering, space was being made in Finck’s for the post office. During the day the Niceville Fish Company set up offices there. Within a little while a grocery had been added. And now Adolph’s establishment represents the bay country’s first and only complete arcade. In it is found a post office, a wholesale and retail fish house, a grocery, a restaurant, a bakery and the bay country’s only draft beer dispensary, while the Niceville Masonic Lodge occupies the floor above.” (The Valparaiso Star, February 1, 1934) ,
A Florida Heritage Site
.
Niceville Fire of 1934, as reported in local newspapers: “The 200 CCC men formed bucket brigades and in cooperation with the fire crews of the Choctawhatchee National Forest did yeomen service in saving buildings and stocks of merchandise after three grocery stores, a dry goods store, creamery, post office building, hotel, drug store and fish warehouses were destroyed. The loss is estimated at $100,000 (worth $2,000,000 in 2021) with little insurance. There was no running water with which to combat the flames and it appeared for a time that the town would be completely destroyed until the forest firefighters and CCC workers took charge.” (Gadsden County Times, January 25, 1934) “While the ruins were still smoldering, space was being made in Finck’s for the post office. During the day the Niceville Fish Company set up offices there. Within a little while a grocery had been added. And now Adolph’s establishment represents the bay country’s first and only complete arcade. In it is found a post office, a wholesale and retail fish house, a grocery, a restaurant, a bakery and the bay country’s only draft beer dispensary, while the Niceville Masonic Lodge occupies the floor above.” (The Valparaiso Star, February 1, 1934)
A Florida Heritage Site
Erected 2021 by
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the City of Niceville and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1172.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Disasters. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1934.
Location. 30° 31.102′ N, 86° 29.242′ W. Marker is in Niceville, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Marker is on Bayshore Drive just south of Edge Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Niceville FL 32588, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Niceville, Florida. (Submitted on December 10, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 9, 2022
2. Niceville Fire 1934 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 10, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.