One of the area's earliest waterfront towns, located east of Destin on Choctawhatchee Bay, is being rediscovered as a community that offers the authentic Old Florida way of life. Native Americans were the earliest residents of what came to be known as Old Town Santa Rosa. Pottery shards and oyster shell implements have been found along the banks of the area's bayfront, bayous and creeks.
The first record of other settlers in the area was in the mid-1800s, when stories of people living in primitive log cabins were carried back by roving tax collectors. By the late 1800s, the Old Town of Santa Rosa had grown into a logging camp. However, crews from outside the area would come in long enough to harvest timber, then move on. A mill was built in the Hogtown Bayou area near the turn of the century, but was also not used year-round.
Travel by water was easiest and safest. Bay schooners and steamboats began to bring more visitors to the area. These wanderers recognized the potential of the land, timber and bountiful waterways. Among those who were impressed with the area's potential was Charles Cessna. In 1909, he and his brothers formed a corporation and organized investors to establish a fully plotted city, complete with utilities and streetcars. The Santa Rosa Plantation Company sold shares, and more than 2,000 acres were purchased for $1.75 per acre. The town was laid out as an agricultural community, with 50-foot city lots and farm tracts starting at 10 acres. Within a few years, a hotel, a few stores and some cottages had been constructed. For $6, a passenger could sail round trip from Mobile to Santa Rosa.
For a time, the town prospered with citrus, sugar cane, timbering and raising cattle. Then in the mid-1900s, the town was mostly abandoned. No definitive records exist to explain why most of the area's residents packed up and left. Some say several years of citrus canker wiped out one of Santa Rosa's main cash crops.
Others say the opening of better range land out west enticed cattle ranchers to leave. |
Several years ago, area residents rediscovered the charm of Old Town Santa Rosa. Around this same time, the county improved the bay-front Cessna Park, refurbishing its boat launch and adding other facilities. The result is that Old Town Santa Rosa has become recognized as a quiet, friendly community where the authentic Florida lifestyle draws those who relish the outdoors and the relaxed way of life.