DESTIN HISTORY AND FISHING MUSEUM

In June of 2012, a fantastic transformation took place along the Destin Harbor, a transformation known as the Boardwalk Project. This project was like giving the harbor a makeover, adding new things to make it even more awesome. It wasn’t just about making it look pretty; it was about making it a super cool place for everyone!

Let’s go back in time. A long time ago, in 1830, a brave sea captain named Leonard Destin founded a small fishing village right here. He convinced lots of people to come and live here by offering them jobs catching fish. Back then, Destin was a tiny place with fewer than 100 people, and most of them worked in the fishing industry. It was like a big family of fishermen!

Now, what made Destin a perfect spot for fishing was the geography. The place had something super special called East Pass, which was like a magical waterway connecting Choctawhatchee Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. It wasn’t always like that, though. A long time ago, the Gulf and the Bay were not connected. But in 1926, some families decided to change that. Without any big machines, just using shovels, four brave men cut a ditch, and within hours, it turned into East Pass, making it easier for boats to move around. Even today, the Army Corp of Engineers helps keep it safe by cleaning it up sometimes.

The first bridge connecting Okaloosa Island to Destin was built in 1933, making it easier for people to get there. There’s a special place just north of the bridge called Crab Island, made by the sand from East Pass. A year later, they finished building US Highway 98, making Destin open for everyone to enjoy.

Now, fast forward to today! Destin Harbor is like the coolest place ever. It’s home to the biggest fishing fleet in Florida, with about 150 boats, and people go on fishing trips every day. It’s so popular that even people from other countries come to enjoy the fun. There are big fishing tournaments, like the Destin Fishing Rodeo, where thousands of people compete for lots of money. It’s like a big fishing party!

But wait, there’s more! Right by the Destin Boardwalk, there are East and West Jetties, perfect for snorkeling and diving. It’s like an underwater adventure right next to all the fishing fun.

And guess what? The Boardwalk isn’t just about fishing. You can go to the beach, ride jet skis, and even hop on a pontoon boat for more water adventures. And when you’re hungry, there are awesome places to eat, like Aj’s Seafood, Fisherman’s Wharf, and The Boathouse Oyster Bar. Yum!

Now, with the new Boardwalk, even more cool places are coming soon. It’s like Destin is growing into an even more amazing place for families to have a blast. The Destin Boardwalk is like the superstar of Destin, making everyone excited and happy!