Coffeen Nature Preserve

Coffeen Nature Preserve is hidden away between Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Sandestin.

The preserve has quite a history, involving the military – American, British and Germans! The preserve encompasses 230 acres of natural forest, including sand pines, cedar, oaks, magnolias and hickory trees. The landscape is quite diverse and representative of South Walton long ago, with marsh, flatwoods, swamp, bog, coastal uplands, towering dunes, and one of our rare coastal dune lakes.

Visits to the preserve are free but must be reserved in advance. Call 850-622-3700 for a reservation for a tour, or take a self-guided tour. The Sand Pine Military Trail is a one-mile long, well-marked trail that begins at the Preserve office and meanders through sand pine forests, as well as a Titi bog. This trail also affords you with an opportunity to visit two military bunkers. Be sure to pick up the brochure.

Fuller Lake is fed by rainwater and groundwater seepage. The lake drains by natural outlets into the Gulf of Mexico. It provides water filtration, flood control, and a source of fresh water for many plants and animals.

Lake Fuller is about 8 feet deep and consists of tannin-stained dark water and contains many aquatic plants such as water lilies, reptiles such as alligators, and provides nesting habitation for birds. Lake Fuller maintains its unspoiled nature due to less human activity than most of our lakes.

There are many animals that call the preserve home, including white-tailed deer, raccoons, grey fox, coyotes, opossums, bobcats, armadillos, wild turkeys, racers and rattlesnakes, river otters, and alligators.

The endangered Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse burrows in the sand dunes and is rarely seen. A large variety of birds, including doves, blue jays, yellow rumped warblers, cardinals, blue birds, woodpeckers, towhee, raptors, gulls and terns inhabit the Preserve.

Birdwatchers will enjoy the quiet observation of these and other migratory birds, and often see new, unexpected bird species.

The land that comprises the Coffeen Nature Preserve was part of a very large tract of land purchased by John & Dorothy Coffeen and Robert & Mary Bushnell in the early 1940’s. Robert Bushnell, former Attorney General for State of Massachusetts, was Dorothy’s brother. Dorothy Coffeen was the descendant of David Bushnell, inventor of the submarine, and Horace Bushnell, a famous theologian.

Military History
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, America entered World War II against both Germany and Japan. In response to the declaration of war, Germany sent U-boats to American waters, including the Gulf of Mexico. Bases all along the Gulf Coast were fortified for protection. At the same time, Germany developed the “flying bombs” called V-1 and V-2 bombs (V for Vengeance, also called the “buzz bombs” for the noise they made on descent). These pilot-less rockets were directed from Europe to England and almost destroyed London. The V-1 rocket was launched from land. It flew up to 4000 feet, , an attained speeds of up to 400 mph.

By 1944 the Allies captured some of these flying bombs, which were shipped to Wright Field in Ohio to be copied and reproduced. For that effort, the War Department authorized 90 million dollars for a project called MX-544. Assignments were awarded to multiple corporations; Republic Aviation Corporation for the airframe, Ford Motor Company to produce the pulse jet engine, Jack and Heintz Inc to develop the autopilot system, and Alloy Products for the airtanks. Out of 10 attempts only the JB-2 was successful.

Eglin fields was initial site for the JB-2 trials. The military procured private land near the western edge of Walton county in the fall of 1944. The land belonged to John and Dorothy Coffeen and was leased by the Army Air force for the duration of the war. The first test facility was designated Range 64 JB-2. The site was selected because it was a remote location, had large sand dunes for earthen launch ramps, level areas for operational facilities, and uninhabited shorelines.

By 1945 the land had undergone massive devastation and required extensive undertaking to clear and repair the land. Topsail Bluff, once the highest point between Pensacola and Panama City had been bulldozed to remove the tree growth and that resulted in loss of eight feet in height from sand erosion.

Learn more about Coffeen Nature Preserve at coffeennaturepreserve.net.