{ Historical. Community. Kinship. Laid-back Attitude. Eclectic. Old Florida.} Grayton Beach is where the soul of South Walton county lies. Established in 1890, Grayton is near and dear to the hearts of millions as it was the first established community in South Walton county. Generations of families have called Grayton home or an annual vacation destination over the last century.
One can only imagine how much different the area looked back then. At the time, there was one other settlement in Point Washington, a few miles north of what is now Hwy 98. There were no roads. There were no bridges. Hwy 98 and the Clyde B. Wells bridge on Hwy 331 weren't built until the 1930's. Electricity followed in the '40s when the Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative (CHELCO) was established. Those early pioneers had vision as now, almost 120 years later, Grayton Beach has evolved into a popular, upscale destination with all the ammenties of modern life which is tempered with a stewardship to preserve the village's historical character.
Grayton Beach encompasses an area from the east side of Western Lake to around the Alligator Lake area to the west on Scenic Hwy 30A, and includes Grayton Beach State Park, a 400-acre nature park on the Gulf of Mexico established in 1965.
The main artery into Grayton Beach proper is found on the southern portion of Hwy 283, across 30A and down to the beach on historic DeFuniak Street. Take a stroll down Defuniak and onto the quaint side streets lined with Old Florida-style cottages with big porches, under ancient oaks and pines, and you immediately feel transported back to a time where people lived simply and on their own time. The popular Red Bar - coined the most popular indoor destination and a must stop for all visitors - is found at the curve by the beach as is the funky Zoo Gallery, and D & K's Restaurant and a few other specialty shops.
More modern development has sprung up around Grayton Beach proper on Scenic 30A and a mile or so up Hwy 283 in Uptown Grayton, the Shops of Grayton and Grayton Corner. You will find an electic mix of businesses - art galleries, antique shops, unique gift shops, Starbucks, clothing boutiques, restaurants offering all different kinds of cuisine, a yoga studio, real estate offices and much more.
Grayton Beach is a real South Walton gem - a slice of our history that offers something for everyone. And as the sign in front of one business reminds us - "Slow Down, You've Arrived." It's such a nice reminder.
Did You Know?
- Grayton Beach is one of the few beaches in the region that allows local residents to drive their vehicle on the beach.
- In 1942, the US Coast Guard established a 40-man station in Grayton and the federal government rented many of the homes for barracks and offices.
- The Grayton Beach motto is, "Nice Dogs. Strange People."
- The only original building left in Grayton Beach is a two-story home built in the late 1800s by a veteran of the Civil War at the end of DeFuniak Street known as A Grayton Tradition (formerly The Wash-A-Way, The Grayton Hotel and Grayton's Grand) which had it's foundation swept away in the Hurricane of 1926. The home was also once One of the 40 US Coast Guard guardsman stationed in Grayton Beach in 1942 inscribed his name on the wall of a closet in the home.
- Grayton Beach State Park was obtained through a land lease from the Florida Board of Education in 1964 and was opened in 1968. The 228-acre park borders Grayton Beach on all sides except the south to which the Gulf of Mexico holds title.
- Some of the earliest families to settle here were the Butler and Miller families back in the '20s.
- The Big Miami Hurricane of 1926 hit Grayton Beach and is credited with creating Destin's East Pass and turning Choctawhatchee Bay into a saltwater body.
- Grayton Beach State Park was rated the No. 1 beach in the nation in 1994 for its pristine environment and great camping by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, better known as the expert "Dr. Beach."
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