Choctawhatchee National Forest
Encyclopedia
Choctawhatchee National Forest is a United States National Forest
established by President Theodore Roosevelt
on November 27, 1908. The supervisory headquarters was established at DeFuniak Springs and moved to Pensacola
in September 1910. It remained there until 1936 when it was relocated to Tallahassee
. The Choctawhatchee's two districts (Easy Bay-Camp Pinchot and Niceville
) were separated by what is now State Road 85.
But the national defense needs of a changing world prompted Congress
to transfer the national forest to the War Department
just prior to World War II
. Congress transferred the 340,890 acres (1380 km²) of the Choctawhatchee from the Forest Service
to the War Department (and subsequently to its successor's constituent United States Department of the Air Force) for military purposes on June 27, 1940. The law provided that the land may be restored to national forest status by proclamation or order of the President when it was no longer needed for military purposes. It has been home to Eglin Air Force Base
ever since. In descending order of land area the forest is located in parts of southern Okaloosa
, Walton
, and Santa Rosa
counties.
During the early years, Camp Pinchot
was the Forest Supervisor's summer headquarters. At that time, the only mode of transportation from Pensacola (site of the main supervisory headquarters) was by boat. In 2000, Camp Pinchot celebrated its 50th anniversary as the residence for the Eglin Air Force Base Commander.
The current portion of the Choctawhatchee that is still managed by the Forest Service consists of several dispersed parcels that total only 1,110 acres (1.73 sq mi, or 4.492 km²) and are managed by the Apalachicola National Forest
. Some parcels lost many of their national forest characteristics by changing land-use over the years and others are difficult to manage because they are not contiguous. They may therefore be traded or sold to allow the Forest Service to acquire privately held land within the boundaries of other national forests in the state.
United States National Forest
National Forest is a classification of federal lands in the United States.National Forests are largely forest and woodland areas owned by the federal government and managed by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Land management of these areas...
established by President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
on November 27, 1908. The supervisory headquarters was established at DeFuniak Springs and moved to Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
in September 1910. It remained there until 1936 when it was relocated to Tallahassee
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
. The Choctawhatchee's two districts (Easy Bay-Camp Pinchot and Niceville
Niceville, Florida
Niceville is a city in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States, located close to Eglin Air Force Base. It originally began with the name Valparaiso, then to separate itself from the neighboring town took the unofficial name of Boggy. Upon incorporation as an official city, the name was changed to...
) were separated by what is now State Road 85.
But the national defense needs of a changing world prompted Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
to transfer the national forest to the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
just prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Congress transferred the 340,890 acres (1380 km²) of the Choctawhatchee from the Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
to the War Department (and subsequently to its successor's constituent United States Department of the Air Force) for military purposes on June 27, 1940. The law provided that the land may be restored to national forest status by proclamation or order of the President when it was no longer needed for military purposes. It has been home to Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....
ever since. In descending order of land area the forest is located in parts of southern Okaloosa
Okaloosa County, Florida
Okaloosa County is a county located in the state of Florida. Located in northwest Florida, it extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line. As of the 2000 census, the population was 170,498. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 182,172. The 2009 estimate for the...
, Walton
Walton County, Florida
Walton County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 40,601. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 50,324. Its county seat is DeFuniak Springs, Florida. The county is home to the highest natural point in Florida: Britton Hill, at .- History...
, and Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa County, Florida
Santa Rosa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 117,743, while a July 1, 2005, estimate placed the population at 143,105, an 18% increase making it the 84th fastest growing county in the United States between 2000 and 2005. ...
counties.
During the early years, Camp Pinchot
Camp Pinchot Historic District
The Camp Pinchot Historic District is a U.S. historic district , located approximately north of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The district is on Eglin Air Force Base, roughly along the west bank of Garnier's Bayou. It contains 10 historic buildings.-External links:* at * at...
was the Forest Supervisor's summer headquarters. At that time, the only mode of transportation from Pensacola (site of the main supervisory headquarters) was by boat. In 2000, Camp Pinchot celebrated its 50th anniversary as the residence for the Eglin Air Force Base Commander.
The current portion of the Choctawhatchee that is still managed by the Forest Service consists of several dispersed parcels that total only 1,110 acres (1.73 sq mi, or 4.492 km²) and are managed by the Apalachicola National Forest
Apalachicola National Forest
The Apalachicola National Forest is the largest U.S. National Forest in the state of Florida. It contains and is the only national forest located in the Florida Panhandle. The Apalachicola National Forest contains two Wilderness Areas, Bradwell Bay and Mudswamp/New River...
. Some parcels lost many of their national forest characteristics by changing land-use over the years and others are difficult to manage because they are not contiguous. They may therefore be traded or sold to allow the Forest Service to acquire privately held land within the boundaries of other national forests in the state.
See also
- Apalachicola National ForestApalachicola National ForestThe Apalachicola National Forest is the largest U.S. National Forest in the state of Florida. It contains and is the only national forest located in the Florida Panhandle. The Apalachicola National Forest contains two Wilderness Areas, Bradwell Bay and Mudswamp/New River...
- Ocala National ForestOcala National ForestThe Ocala National Forest is the second largest National Forest in the U.S. state of Florida and covers approximately of Central Florida. It is located three miles east of Ocala and southeast of Gainesville...
- Osceola National ForestOsceola National ForestOsceola National Forest is an American National Forest located in Florida.Osceola National Forest was created by President Herbert Hoover's proclamation, on July 10, 1931...