Eglin AFB in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Eglin Air Force Base

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 29, 2016

1. Eglin Air Force Base Marker

Inscription.
Originally established on June 14, 1935, as Valparaiso Bombing and Gunnery Range with 1460 acres of land donated by James E. Plew, this site was renamed on August 4, 1937, for Lieutenant Colonel Frederick I. Eglin, killed in an airplane crash. Eglin Field became a separate opening base August 27, 1940.

Erected 1972 by Mrs. Charles W. Ruckel, Daughter of James Plew in cooperation with The United States Air Force And The Department of State. (Marker Number F-204.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1935.

Location. 30° 29.396′ N, 86° 29.677′ W. Marker is in Eglin AFB, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of 9th Street and South John Sims Parkway (State Road 397), on the right when traveling south. Located on the north side of the Eglin Air Force Base east gate Visitors Center (building 873). It is just before the controlled entry gate. Base access is not required to view marker, however this is on military property. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 873 9th Street, Eglin AFB FL 32542, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Boggy Mill Company Site (approx. 1.7 miles away); Niceville Fire (approx.

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2 miles away); Old Maritime City (approx. 2.1 miles away); Niceville Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Worker Statue™ (approx. 2.3 miles away); IM-99 BOMARC Launch Platform (approx. 4.2 miles away); M118 General Purpose Bomb (approx. 4.2 miles away); RF4-Phantom II (approx. 4.3 miles away); AGM-109 MRASM Missile (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eglin AFB.

Also see . . .
1. History of Eglin Air Force Base. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 30, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

2. Destin - Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS). Airport website homepage:
Uses Eglin Air Force Base runways; includes photos and history of the base. (Submitted on October 30, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Eglin Air Force Base Visitors Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 29, 2016

2. Eglin Air Force Base Visitors Center

View of a portion of the EOD school barracks in background and other base buildings. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 29, 2016

3. View of a portion of the EOD school barracks in background and other base buildings.

USAAC Lieutenant Colonel Fredrick I Eglin image. Click for full size.

Public domain - USGOV-PD

4. USAAC Lieutenant Colonel Fredrick I Eglin

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 679 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 30, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.