Historic SoWal trivia

Wow the 4 laning was a huge milestone. Hard to remember the year. maybe around 2000? I think it was eastbound that was added.

Wow the 4 laning was a huge milestone. Hard to remember the year. maybe around 2000? I think it was eastbound that was added.

That sounds about right.

Don't remember the exact timeline, but the original two lane stretch is gone. They worked it similarly to 331 to where it ultimately disappeared.

I can remember driving to Destin from SRB and veering off to the right on rew 98 at the outlet mall and driving into darkness that was blacker than ink! There were no lights at all for a while until development took over.

Another question: if you look on a map (satellite view) along Front Beach Road in PCB it looks like there WERE coastal dune lakes, but they have been cut off from the natural in/out flow by Front Beach Road. I assume that since SoWal was basically isolated and undeveloped for so long is what allowed for the SoWal coastal dune lakes to survive and be preserved. Anyone know if there were CDLs like SoWal's in Bay County?

Map view of PCB: خرائط Google‏

Another question: if you look on a map (satellite view) along Front Beach Road in PCB it looks like there WERE coastal dune lakes, but they have been cut off from the natural in/out flow by Front Beach Road. I assume that since SoWal was basically isolated and undeveloped for so long is what allowed for the SoWal coastal dune lakes to survive and be preserved. Anyone know if there were CDLs like SoWal's in Bay County?

Map view of PCB: خرائط Google‏

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I believe the pond to the North of Pineapple Willy's is/was a coastal dune lake.

The radar images on Google maps are interesting. Near several of the lakes, you can see some sort of drainage on the beach. Are there culverts under the sand?

Another question: if you look on a map (satellite view) along Front Beach Road in PCB it looks like there WERE coastal dune lakes, but they have been cut off from the natural in/out flow by Front Beach Road. I assume that since SoWal was basically isolated and undeveloped for so long is what allowed for the SoWal coastal dune lakes to survive and be preserved. Anyone know if there were CDLs like SoWal's in Bay County?

Map view of PCB: خرائط Google‏

I am pretty sure at one time there were several but they didnt realize what they had and many were filled in and built on.

About the four-laning of 98 - it was the eastbound lanes that were added. After that was done, the westbound lanes were widened and repaved as to match. I worked in the old Rivard Realty building when it was the South Walton Courthouse Annex and I remember being told that we were all sitting in the middle of the future westbound lane. It was hard to picture but now you can't even picture a building being there. Same with J.D. Miller's old gas station and former home further down.

I can't remember where LeBleus Cajun Kitchen was. Anyone recall?

If memory serves, right there...

On the North side of Hwy 98 Right to the West of Veterans Rd.

Enyone rember wher i put my reading basses?

On your nose?

Reading bases? I don't follow.

Another question: Regarding the 331 bridge. I know the Southbound lanes are the original, and I remember those concrete picnic areas by the water. When was the original two lane built? Was the original wooden? Does anyone remember a time before the 331 bridge was built? Also, it appears the the land that the Southbound lanes are built on must have been filled in to create a peninsula coming from the North side of the bay, correct?

Yes it's a causeway. Not allowed these days.

331 was a draw bridge when I first moved here. Until a barge hit it.

Yes, it was a wood trestle bridge with a draw bridge. The causeways were always there from when it was first built. I don't have any real facts, but believe in was built 1936 or 1939. It was hit by a barge (sometime in the mid eighties) and cars had to be ferried across until it was repaired.

I vaguely remember the 331 drawbridge when visiting long ago.

I vaguely remember one of those "flying saucer" kind of houses on the south west landing of the old bridge (late 50's ?) where "Baily's", and "Blue Bar", and "Barago's" has been. What was that building before it was "Baily's By the Bay"?

331 was a draw bridge when I first moved here. Until a barge hit it.

It was hit on more than one occasion and actually killed the bridge master in one of the collisions.

I vaguely remember one of those "flying saucer" kind of houses on the south west landing of the old bridge (late 50's ?) where "Baily's", and "Blue Bar", and "Barago's" has been. What was that building before it was "Baily's By the Bay"?

I think it was the residence of the Baileys. I still see and talk to the owner of "Baileys by the Bay" so I will ask her the next time I run into her and let you know.

To be honest, I'm drawing a total blank on the name of the owner of "Bailey's", although I have met her once, but she lived next door. "Bailey's" was something else before that... come on guys, we still have brain cells, right?...

Hee name is Connie Bailey. I can't recall what was there before.