Walton County, County in Florida Panhandle, United States
Walton County is a county in northwestern Florida that stretches from wooded inland areas to the Gulf coast with white sand beaches. The landscape shifts between pine forests, dunes and turquoise coastal waters that appear remarkably clear in some places.
The area became a county in 1824, shortly after Florida passed from Spain to the United States. Early settlement focused on timber and agriculture before coastal tourism gradually grew in importance during the 20th century.
The name comes from George Walton Jr., an early territorial secretary whose administrative work helped organize the area after Spanish rule. Today many residents live along the coast, where small beach towns with understated architecture and sand-colored wooden houses are scattered.
The administrative center is in DeFuniak Springs, a small inland town where you find public buildings and local services. The coastal towns to the south are often busier during summer months, while the inland areas remain quieter throughout the year.
Britton Hill, the highest natural point in Florida, sits here at only around 345 feet above sea level and is the lowest high point of all US states. The hill itself is unassuming and surrounded by forest, so many visitors are surprised by how flat the highest elevation appears.
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