The Civil War left its mark, as many local men joined Confederate regiments, while Union naval blockades along the Gulf disrupted trade. After the war, economic hardship pushed families toward self-sufficiency, with turpentine, cotton, and small-scale farming sustaining livelihoods.
The late 19th century brought a transformative force: the railroad. In the 1880s and 1890s, tracks cut through Okaloosa County, creating new possibilities for commerce and settlement. Where lines intersected, communities blossomed. Crestview emerged at such a junction, strategically perched on a ridge—hence its name, which suggests a “view from the crest.”
Founding and Early Growth (1900–1920s)
Crestview’s official birth came in 1916, when Okaloosa County was carved out of Santa Rosa and Walton Counties. Chosen as the county seat, Crestview suddenly had political and administrative importance. The courthouse became its anchor, drawing lawyers, clerks, merchants, and visitors.
Early 20th-century Crestview was modest but bustling. Wooden storefronts lined Main Street, housing general stores, blacksmiths, and banks. Surrounding farmlands produced peanuts, corn, and livestock. The timber industry boomed, with sawmills processing longleaf pine into lumber and naval stores.
The town was small enough to feel intimate, yet large enough to attract migrants from rural hinterlands. With the county courthouse, a central railway, and a growing reputation as a trade center, Crestview became the de facto “hub” of northern Okaloosa County. shutdown123