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{{see also|Ownership of Pensacola Beach}}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 , [[Presidio Isla de Santa Rosa]], was destroyed battered by a [[1741 hurricane|hurricane]] in [[1741]] and [[1754 hurricane|again]] in [[1754]] , forcing the settlers to relocate to the mainland. The remnants on the island were wiped out by a [[1754 hurricane|1762 hurricane]].

In [[19291927]], Santa Rosa Island was sold by the U.S. War Department for $10,048.75 to [[Escambia County, Florida]]. After the completion of a two-year purchase plan, for $10the deed was delivered to the county on [[April 19]],000[[1929]]. Ten years laterAn agreement with developers [[Johnson, the county returned the island Drake and Piper]] led to the federal government in construction of the expectation that it would be developed into a U[[Thomas A.S. National Monument preserving Johnson Bridge|Pensacola Bay Bridge]], the remnants of [[Fort PickensSanta Rosa Sound Bridge]], and [[the only fort Casino]] ballroom and recreational center, which opened concurrently in the South to be held by the Union throughout the duration of the [[Civil War1931]].

In [[1939]], ten years after buying the island, Escambia County used a revert clause to return 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 island was re-conveyed to Escambia County in [[1946]]. The [[Santa Rosa Island Authority]] was created by the Florida legislature (Chapter 24500) in [[1947]] to administer [[Pensacola Beach]].