Old Grayton Beach Hotel Info

I would have to dig out my copy of "The Way We Were" to be certain, but I believe the lady's name was Lura McCook. If it is who I am thinking of, she is now deceased but she lived until she was in her late 90's, possibly 100. She was from the Bruce area, and she was a resident at Delta Healthcare along with my great-aunt.

Hi Ann,

Thanks for doing this!

Very cool! I am interested in seeing your quilt!

I have some old photos of Grayton, we lived there until I was 6. This is the old Grayton Hotel, and the Welcome to Grayton sign on the corner of 98 in 1955.

When I was growing up one of my friends lived at the old hotel. It was creepy.

But the Wards were mainly from Freeport or Bruce if I remember correctly. Many of the Wards today are still in Bruce and members of the Muscogee Nation Indian Tribe. You may be able to find some info there at their tribal house.

I have some old photos of Grayton, we lived there until I was 6. This is the old Grayton Hotel, and the Welcome to Grayton sign on the corner of 98 in 1955.

I have a picture of that sign too, smaller, and you can also see 98 and the old entrance to Bay Drive. (Can't put my hands on it right now, but I know it is here). Kinda cool...now look at that intersection.

Thanks

I have some old photos of Grayton, we lived there until I was 6. This is the old Grayton Hotel, and the Welcome to Grayton sign on the corner of 98 in 1955.

Do you have any other old photos of Grayton... I would love to put together old photos on a Cd so that we won't lose that history that makes Grayton so special. I have been bring this up to the GBNA (Grayton Beach Neighborhood Association) that we need to start gathering old photos and stories of Grayton...am hoping that we can get a committee formed in 2009 to work on this. As a child I have such wonderful memories of Grayton...staying at the Old Barn that is now part of the Bed and Breakfast on Defuniak....all of my families early Grayton phtos were lost in a flood while my family was stationed in Norfolk Va.
Hopefully more folks will post.
I can be reached at: yzarctoo@aol.com
Ann Morrell

I've signed a contract to compile a regional history book in photo of South Walton to be completed in October of this year, with Arcadia Publishing.

published book

Can't wait...please notify when it is official and up for sale.
Ann Morrell

I know a lot of the research for the area came out of the defuniak library archives. This is where a lot of stories from the book "The way we where" a recollection of the south walton pioneers came from. You could talk to the butlers in Grayton. Grandpa had all the stories, but he is no longer. Hope the library helps. I understood they they sold rockers for $5.00 bucks a night because it was such a hopping place. There also use to be a hotel in front of the Seagrove Village Market on the corner I am told.

I just happened to thumb through my copy of "The Way We Were" last week...and it dawned on me that most of the folks interviewed for the book are gone now. It really doesn't seem that long since Coastal Heritage / CAA published that book, but I guess it's been fifteen years or so.

LMG has the best advice of all - talk to the Butlers, quick. Van Ness is a veritable wealth of knowledge (he and Albert are about the only ones I would call that, anymore) but he is not a spring chicken anymore.