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History
Whether you are here for a day, a week, or a lifetime, you are sure to be impressed with the warmth and sincerity of the people of Niceville and Valparaiso. We offer a variety of activities and invite you to visit the Bay Area and enjoy the charm and beauty found here.
The Cities of Valparaiso and Niceville are still in their youth; their charters were granted in 1921 and 1938 respectively. There is no question about what led to the formation of these two cities. The beautiful forests and pristine waters were unscathed by humans when Florida was admitted to the Union in 1845. Clearly, it was the natural resources which first attracted settlers to the area.
The timberlands were prime for harvesting. The strong, straight heartwood of pine was in worldwide demand and found its way to the finest homes of Europe and East Asia. Local shipbuilding also depended on the nearby forests. An important by-product of timbering was wood for fuel. Wood was a prime source of fuel in everything from the steam-engine powered ships, sawmills and machinery to the cast iron cooking stoves and fireplaces of local homes. The smaller pines yielded their sap; supporting the operation of three turpentine stills in the early 1900's. Another important product of the forest was the wild game. Deer, quail, possum and turkey were an important staple in many early households.
The beautiful waterways were equally as important as timber in the early days. The water, shorelines, bayous, Choctawhatchee Bay, navigable waterways and access to the seas were essential for transportation and industry. The earliest visitors to Boggy Bayou, including Indians, pirates, explorers and military excursionists used water transportation. The waterways were essential for moving the timber and wood fuel, as well as other products in and out of the area. The land routes to the north were difficult to navigate with natural barriers including swamps, rivers, and hilly terrain. The water also provided a habitat for a bounty of fresh and saltwater fish and shellfish. Fishing has been an important industry for the area. It took some time for the technology of the twentieth century to make commercial fishing feasible. It was not until 1938 that the citizens of Niceville voted to issue bonds to construct an ice and cold storage plant. In its first year of operation, 3.5 million pounds of fish were shipped by local dealers.
The combination of waterways and lush woodlands are another aspect to the attraction of the area influencing the long term stay of many. The natural advantages, scenic beauty and healthfulness was how John B. Perrine described it. He first visited the area in 1890 and was so enchanted with its beauty and potential that he spent his life and fortune on its development. The Valparaiso Development Company was responsible for city planning, community farming and other agricultural enterprises . . . and the communities continued to grow.
Perrine was only one of many with courage and vision who would devote a lifetime to these communities. The names of some of the founding fathers have been enshrined by their followers in various ways. James E. Plew, who assumed control of Perrine's enterprise, initiated many visionary and crucial developments. The most important was the construction of the runways of a landing field that would one day become Eglin Air Force Base. His donation of some 1,500 acres for the use of the Army Air Corps as a gunnery range in 1937 set the stage for the development of Eglin as it exists today.
The current citizens of the Bay Area, like those of bygone days, look to the future and invest their fortunes and energies in the community. Simply being proud of past achievement is insufficient; the preservation of the natural environment and an
enhanced quality of life for business and all residents is the continuing goal of the community.
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