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A great place to live, work and do business, the ever-growing community of Navarre is located on the Gulf of Mexico at the Southern tip of Santa Rosa County on the Florida Panhandle. Here you will find a thriving, friendly community of families, breathtaking sugar-sand beaches, a year-round pleasant climate, A-rated schools and medical facilities, a flourishing business economy, and much, much more.

Location
Navarre is situated just 20 miles from Interstate 10, at the intersection of US Highway 98 and State Highway 87. The area is about 25 miles west of Okaloosa County Regional Airport, and approximately 25 miles east of Pensacola Regional Airport. Rental car agencies, a Greyhound bus terminal, and an Amtrak station are also conveniently nearby.

Growth
The 2000 census confirmed the hint of enormous growth, with the swarming activity in Santa Rosa County for the past 10 years. The county population currently tops out at 117,743, which is a staggering 44 percent increase over 10 years. Experts predict continued elevated growth, bringing the population up to well over 250,000 within the next 15 to 20. The community of Navarre itself currently boasts about 23,000 residents.

History
In 1925, a visionary by the name of Col. Guy H. Wyman, a retired U.S. Army engineer, founded the Navarre area. Originally from DeFuniak Springs, Col. Wyman and his wife had seen the world’s natural wonders, and decided to settle in this one. Navarre was named for Mrs. Wyman’s favorite picturesque province in northern Spain. The area was quite unpopulated at the time, which changed in the early 1960’s with the building of the Navarre Beach Bridge. This opened the gates for everyone to experience and enjoys the pristine natural Gulf Coast beaches and warm emerald waters on the other side. Subsequently, tourism was born in the area, resulting in an abundance of comfortable, attractive and affordable accommodations and eateries on Navarre Beach. Conservation was not forgotten, and miles of National Seashore exist today just as pure and unspoiled as they have been for centuries. The Navarre area is comprised of diverse cultures and peoples, somewhat due to the nearby military installations. Hulbert Field, Eglin Air Force Base, NAS Whiting Field and NAS Pensacola are all close by.

Navarre Beach Library
For those enjoy a good book, the Navarre Branch Library holds many. In addition, they have audio tapes, compact discs, CD-ROMs and a video selection. There are computers with free Internet access available for patron use. Quiet study rooms provide a place for reflection and learning. Home computer access to the library catalogs and e-books is available for the Internet savvy. Interlibrary loan service involving libraries throughout the state ensures access to any title one could want. Special youth services include pre-school story school hour on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. Also, summer programs involve create storytellers, clowns, magicians, and other special guests. The library is supported largely by the Friends of the Navarre Library, an organization of volunteers that sponsors programs, raises money, and creates interest and awareness in library services.

Housing
As you consider making Navarre your next home, consider the fact that our residents enjoy the best of both worlds. Navarre is both a residential and beach community offering new and existing homes in a variety of neighborhoods, gated communities, wooded areas, on the beach sound side, bayside, or within any of new established subdivisions.

One of the largest Navarre communities features a 48-acre park exclusively for its homeowners. Included in the park is a recreation and fitness center, complete with 3 swimming pools, 8 tennis courts, basketball courts, a baseball field, game room, and sauna and steam room. The park includes a jogging trail, picnic pavilions, campsites, playground, fishing pier with private beach and a beach house, which can be rented for parties or weekends.

Navarre homes range from $60,000-$600,000, and Gulf-front beach properties for as much as $1.5 million. Home styles to suit virtually every taste can be found; from cottage homes. Contemporary condominiums and apartments to custom built single-family homes. You’re sure to find a home of your dreams at a price within your budget.

If you have an ideal home plan, consider building your dream home in Navarre. Unimproved land prices generally range from the affordable to the exquisite for a half acre lot. Builders in the Navarre community range from locally owned custom builders to nationally known community developers.

Taxes
Florida has no personal tax, and Santa Rosa County carries a low 6.5% retail sales tax. (Some foods, medicines and personal services are exempt). Ad valor (real estate) taxes are a combination of county and school district levies, plus special assessments. Taxes are based on 100% value of real property and are due November 1 of each year. Under Florida Homestead Rule, $25,000 is subtracted from the assessed value. Apply at the Property Appraiser’s Office between January and March 1 for this exemption.

Climate
If you are looking for a perfect, sunny day, the Navarre is boasts about 320 of them per year. The average temperature is 67 degrees, with a high in the 90’s during August, and a low in the 40’s during December and January. The water temperature stays fairly high most of the year, topping out at about 85 degrees in September, and bottoming at 64 degrees in January and February. Those who enjoy the outdoors will have plenty of year-round opportunities to do so.

Health Care
Top notch medical providers abound in the Navarre area, offering a variety of healthcare options. Baptist Medical Park, a $2.8 million state of the art healthcare facility, Twelve Oaks Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center, and a variety of Family Physicians, Chiropractors, Podiatrists, Dentists, Optometrists, Surgeons, Massage Therapists, Pediatric Physicians, Urologists, and Rehabilitation specialists. There is also a complete natural food store that offers many holistics remedies and massage therapy. This diversity of healthcare options virtually eliminates the need to travel elsewhere for the best treatment available.

Population & Economy
At a glance, you might think that Navarre is sparsely populated, due to the vast stretches of open space and room to grow. Actually, there are currently about 23,000 residents in Navarre alone, with almost 118,000 total in Santa Rosa County. In fact, the area population has increased by 44 percent in the last 10 years. As a result, many new businesses have opened up, providing the area with more substance and less need to venture out of the country. These businesses include several shops and restaurants, a full capacity national pharmacy apartment complexes and several service oriented businesses. A trend seems to gravitate toward technology driven economic development. Future prospects for the area include a new national grocery store chain and chopping center, national restaurant chain and office park. The tourism industry remains strong, with many visitors coming from neighboring states and new accommodations being built.

Education
More than 2900 married couples with children under the age of 18 moved to Santa Rosa County in the past decade, which is a 31.5 percent increase. High quality of education, excellent teachers, ever-expanding modern facilities, stimulating curriculum, and abundance of extracurricular activities provide the best atmosphere for the learning experience. Local students continually set new precedents and exceed county standards with various community and academic accomplishments.

Recreation
Navarre Beach and its surrounding forests and rivers is located in Santa Rosa County, featuring unique ecological diversity including miles of dazzling white beaches, 45 foot sand bluffs, emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and crystal clear streams and rivers. The beaches here have been rated the best in the nation for the cleanliness, safety and the breathtaking beauty.

Whether you are seeking a quiet, relaxing afternoon by the shore or an outdoor adventure with the thrilling leisure opportunities and exciting attractions for the entire family, Navarre beach provides plenty of activities to keep everyone busy.

The Navarre Nature Walk Park, located near the Navarre beach Bridge along the Santa Rosa sound, is a one mile waterfront boardwalk that includes a spring fed fish pond, a fun themed playground, a hand tile wall, a butterfly house, as well as picnic and recreation areas. Many species of birds, such as geese, ducks and heron can be spotted on the walk, along with the turtles, squirrels and other wild creatures.

The area is home to numerous points of interest, including the spectacular Gulf Island’s National Seashore, eight miles of federally protected shoreline that is completely undeveloped and preserved in its natural state. Nature enthusiasts can walk on the beach for miles observe rare species of shore birds, wildlife and native vegetation.

For a change of pace, try an excursion north of the famed beach areas to some of the Florida panhandle region’s best kept secrets. Known as the “Canoe Capitol of Florida,”
Santa Rosa County boasts the largest concentration of excellent canoeing rivers in the state, including Blackwater, Sweetwater juniper and the coldwater. Hike, camp, kayak, canoe, go tubing, swimming and picnicking among the pine trees, oak canopies and streams within the Blackwater River State Forest, the largest in Florida. An abundance of Bass, Bluegill and other types of fish can be caught in these pure rivers. Horseback riding through the picturesque countryside is another different and exciting activity to experience.

If your idea if fun in the sun includes exciting water sports, take advantage of numerous activities from snorkeling and scuba driving to sailing and deep-sea fishing. In fact, the northern Gulf Coast region of Florida is famous for its saltwater and freshwater fishing opportunities. In the Gulf, anglers will find pompano, Flounder, Cobia, King and Spanish mackerel, White Trout, and Many other species of fish to catch.

Santa Rosa County also boasts some of the region’s most prestigious championship golf coursers, including the Moors Golf Club, home of the Emerald Coast Classic, a senior PGA Tournament. Some of the many other challenging and scenic fairways and greens include Tiger Point East and West, Tanglewood Golf and County Club, Stonebrook Golf Club and the Club at Hidden Creek, rated the finest golf facility in Northwest Florida.

Navarre beach and Santa Rosa County feature an outstanding diversity of cuisine and entertainment. Sample fresh from the Gulf Seafood and family favorites at the area’ numerous restaurants. Shopping is also a pleasure here, where quaint antique shops and boutiques are easily found, and large malls and outlet centers are just a short drive away. Movie buffs can catch the latest flicks at a new state of the art 8 screen cinema multiplex that features stadium seating and digital sound.

Panhandle Butterfly House
A beautiful sight to behold in the very heart of Navarre is that hundreds of brightly colored plants, flowers and butterflies that inhibit the panhandle Butterfly House each year from May 1st through Labor Day. The winged beauties represent over 200 species, including the Florida state Butterfly, the Zebra Longwing.

The Butterflies are packaged the day before they are shipped from a butterfly farm in south Florida. They are contained in small opaque envelopes and packed in dry ice. This allows them to succumb to a dormant state. When released, it takes a few seconds for them to fully recover and fly off. However is seems that most of the butterflies survive the trip, and go on to live up to two weeks.

In addition, the butterfly house cultivates its own butterflies. Tiny eggs resting on the leaf of delicate plant will grow into butterflies. The plant is kept indoors in abox, which protects the eggs and fosters their growth.

The panhandle butterfly house purchases about $500 worth of butterflies per week. Each butterfly costs about $3.50. The butterflies are purchased through donations. Those that staff the house are wonderful volunteers and excellent sources of information about butterflies. If you get the chance, go and visit the butterfly haven, and help them out with a donation. The garden is a rare and beautiful thing that we are lucky to have in our community.

The butterfly abode, located on the Navarre Nature Walk, is seasonally open 11 am to 4 pm daily, including holidays. There is free admission, although donations are accepted to help support a large number and varieties of butterflies.

Mr. Jack Wetherell started the Butterfly house in 1996 with his wife, Fonda. Although Mr. Wetherell had stepped down as director, he will continue to be of assistance as a consultant. Sandra Sherman is the current director. She has worked as a guide and fundraiser since the beginning.

The Butterfly House will be maintained and run by the Master Gardener Volunteers of Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa Counties.

Special butterfly exhibits, donated by Dr. Thomas Grow are stored at Navarre High School during the winter months under temperature-controlled conditions.

Over 10,000 visitors from 35 states and 11 countries have come to Butterfly House each year. If you’ve never visited the Butterfly House, find yourself too busy or preoccupied with life as we know it, take a break and come discover beauty with the butterflies. It is a unique establishment in our very own community, one of the very few in the country that specializes in butterflies and plants found mostly in this region.

Parks and Piers
Scuba dive among beautiful inhabitants of the deep, canoe the tranquil waters of the Santa Rosa Sound, see the natural beauty of a pristine coastal environment along an intricate system of nature trails and dune crossovers, have picnic and enjoy the beach, Visitors to Navarre Beach will soon enjoy all of the above activities on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, said the park manager Ben Faure.

The State of Florida is planning to develop the 130- acre eastern portion of Navarre Beach, which borders Eglin Air force Base property, into a new park that will preserve this pristine beachfront and offer fun recreational opportunities for residents, visitors, and future generations. Plans for the Navarre Beach State Park include construction of three covered pavilions, 15-20 walkovers, restrooms and showers. Bike paths will weave throughout the park. In addition, state officials plan to construct an artificial reef just offshore, which will enhance Navarre Beach’s already exceptional opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiast. Underwater shelling in the surrounding area is unparalleled and divers will enjoy viewing unique aquatic life such as brilliant green finger and four –foot basket sponges. Also prevalent in area waters area aqua and purple sea whips, and reef clusters of white star and ivory tree coral.

Deep water is found close inshore, attracting some of the largest varieties of Marine species in Florida, from playful dolphins and colorful angelfish to manta rays and endangered sea turtles. Schools of migrating mackerel, amberjack and cigar minnow also make for some interesting dives.

Navarre Beach’s famous fishing pier will receive an upgrade as part of the project as well, with plans calling to extend it into the Gulf of Mexico by an additional 350 feet. For those who love to watch marine sanctuary boardwalk that extends over the water and offers portals in which to view the underwater environs.

Construction on the multi-million dollar project is estimated to be completed by January 2003.

Military Installations
The Panhandle region is home to 4 major military headquarters, including the largest military installation, Eglin Air Force Base, and the “Cradle of Naval Aviation Pensacola” This military presence not only creates some highly interesting attractions, but also makes for a very diverse cultural area population. A large number of area residents are employed by the military bases.

Eglin Air Force Base- (Ft Walton Beach, FL)-Public Affairs Office: (850) 882-3931
Hurlburt Field- (Mary Ester, FL) Public Affairs Office (850) 884-7464
Naval Air Station Pensacola- (Pensacola, FL) Public Affairs Office (850) 452-2311
Naval Air Station Whiting Field- (Milton, FL) Administrative Department (850) 623-7651

Regional Attractions
Air Force Armament Museum boasts an impressive collection of historical artifacts and memorabilia that traces the heritage of the Air Commandos and Special Operations Forces from WW11 to present. An airborne battlefield command control center capsule has been restored for visitors to walk through. There is also a vast collection of military aircraft and missile exhibits. The Air Force Armament Museum is located east of Navarre. Museum is open daily, closed on all Federal Holidays. For more information, call (850)-882-4063 or 4062.

Blackwater River State Park has one of the nation’s purest spring-fed, sand bottom rivers. Beginning 45 miles upstream in Alabama, the river continues downstream for 13 miles before emptying into Blackwater Bay. Wildlife is plentiful in this beautiful park, which includes 590 acres for picnicking, swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing and camping. Open year round from 8 am to sunset. The park is located eats of Navarre in Holt, Fl (8500 983-5363

Fort Pickens is a unique attraction in the Gulf Island National Seashore. Along with the ruins of the pre-Civil War fort, the park offers camping, picnic areas, swimming, fishing, exhibits, nature trails, guided tours, a bookstore and a museum. Many historical anecdotes await you at this amazing landmark. Open from 7 am to 10 pm daily. Visitors Center: (850) 934-2600/2635.

The Gulfarium offers live marine shows with dolphin, sea lions, otter, penguins and other sea creatures. Features include a bottlenose Dolphin show, a Multi-species show ad huge underwater viewing panels that showcase eels, sharks and other sea life. Shows run continuously from 10 am to dusk. Take Hwy 98 east to Okaloosa Island. For additional information: (850) 244-5169, www.gulfarium.com

Gulf Island National Seashore is a 150 mile long strip of Barrier Island running from Mississippi to Florida. A section encompassing 8 miles of the seashore is located in Santa Rosa County. The area is a federal preserve, which leaves it bathed in unspoiled beauty. Activities include camping, fishing, boating, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. The Visitors’ center is located at 1801 Gulf Breeze parkway,
Gulf Breeze, (850) 934-2600.

National Museum of Naval Aviation featuring the IMAX Theater is one of the largest air and space museums in the world. Over 130 unique, beautifully restored aircraft represent Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation. The museum houses the IMAX Theater, which has a seven-story tall screen and a 15,000-watt sound system. There is also a gift shop and café. Admission to the Museum is free with a $6.00 charge for admission to the IMAX Theater. Open daily 9am-5pm. NAX Pensacola (850) 452-3604,
www.naval-air.org

The Zoo is a 50-acrea preserve with more than 700 animals surrounded by botanical gardens. There’s the boardwalk, which allows for a close look at Gorilla Island, a free-range habitat that features gorillas and chimpanzees. Visitors can ride the Safari Line Train, feed and pet tame animals and browse in the Lion’s Lair gift shop. Enjoy special events year-round. The Zoo also offers banquet facilities. Open daily 9am-5pm (weather permitting), excluding certain holidays. 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway,
Gulf Breeze, (850) 932-2229.