Difference between revisions of "Santa Rosa Island"

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[[Image:Santarosaislanddunes.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Santa Rosa Island, looking east.]]
 
[[Image:Santarosaislanddunes.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Santa Rosa Island, looking east.]]
  
'''Santa Rosa Island''' is a 40-mile [[barrier island]] located in the [[United States|U.S.]] [[U.S. state|state]] of [[Florida]], thirty miles (50 km) from the [[Alabama]] state border. The communities of [[Pensacola Beach, Florida|Pensacola Beach]], [[Navarre Beach, Florida|Navarre Beach]], and Okaloosa Island are located on the island.  The island was the landfall point of 2005's [[Hurricane Dennis]] and 1995's Hurricanes [[Hurricane Erin (1995)|Erin]] & [[Hurricane Opal|Opal]], among others.
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'''Santa Rosa Island''' is a 40-mile barrier island on which the communities of [[Pensacola Beach]], [[Navarre Beach]], and [[Okaloosa Island]] are located. It shields the mainland from the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. On its northern lee side are [[Pensacola Bay]] to the west and [[Choctawhatchee Bay]] to the east, connected by [[Santa Rosa Sound]]. Parts of the island are in the [[Gulf Islands National Seashore]].
  
Parts of the island are in the [[Gulf Islands National Seashore]].
 
 
[[Image:Santarosaislandshore.jpg|right|thumb|350px|The Gulf of Mexico The shining light in the back is from the sun's light being reflected on the white sand.]]
 
[[Image:Santarosaislandshore.jpg|right|thumb|350px|The Gulf of Mexico The shining light in the back is from the sun's light being reflected on the white sand.]]
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
The island was the site of the [[Battle of Santa Rosa Island]] in the [[American Civil War]].
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Santa Rosa Island was inhabited by Native Americans as early as 2,000 years ago (contemporary with the [[Deptford]] culture at [[Hawkshaw]]). The island was settled by Spain on [[November 25]], [[1722]]. This colony was destroyed in [[1754]] by a [[1754 hurricane|hurricane]].
  
In [[1929]], Santa Rosa Island was sold by the U.S. War Department to [[Escambia County, Florida]], for $10,000.  Ten years later, the county returned the island to the federal government in the expectation that it would be developed into a [[U.S. National Monument]] preserving the remnants of [[Fort Pickens]], the only fort in the [[Southern United States|South]] to be held by the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] throughout the duration of the American Civil War.
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On [[October 9]], [[1861]], it was the site of the [[Battle of Santa Rosa Island]].
  
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In [[1929]], Santa Rosa Island was sold by the U.S. War Department to [[Escambia County, Florida]], for $10,000. Ten years later, the county returned the island to the federal government in the expectation that it would be developed into a U.S. National Monument preserving the remnants of [[Fort Pickens]], the only fort in the South to be held by the Union throughout the duration of the [[Civil War]].
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The [[Santa Rosa Island Authority]] was created by the Florida legislature in [[1947]] to administer [[Pensacola Beach]].
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The island's sugar white quartz sands have made it a popular destination for beachgoers since the latter half of the twentieth century. In recent years all the island's communities have seen rapid development.
  
 
{{Geo-stub}}
 
{{Geo-stub}}
  
[[Category:American Civil War sites]]
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[[Category:Santa Rosa Island| ]]
[[Category:Barrier islands of Florida]]
 

Revision as of 13:21, 12 May 2007

Santa Rosa Island, looking east.

Santa Rosa Island is a 40-mile barrier island on which the communities of Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, and Okaloosa Island are located. It shields the mainland from the Gulf of Mexico. On its northern lee side are Pensacola Bay to the west and Choctawhatchee Bay to the east, connected by Santa Rosa Sound. Parts of the island are in the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The Gulf of Mexico The shining light in the back is from the sun's light being reflected on the white sand.

History

Santa Rosa Island was inhabited by Native Americans as early as 2,000 years ago (contemporary with the Deptford culture at Hawkshaw). The island was settled by Spain on November 25, 1722. This colony was destroyed in 1754 by a hurricane.

On October 9, 1861, it was the site of the Battle of Santa Rosa Island.

In 1929, Santa Rosa Island was sold by the U.S. War Department to Escambia County, Florida, for $10,000. Ten years later, the county returned the island to the federal government in the expectation that it would be developed into a U.S. National Monument preserving the remnants of Fort Pickens, the only fort in the South to be held by the Union throughout the duration of the Civil War.

The Santa Rosa Island Authority was created by the Florida legislature in 1947 to administer Pensacola Beach.

The island's sugar white quartz sands have made it a popular destination for beachgoers since the latter half of the twentieth century. In recent years all the island's communities have seen rapid development.