Welcome
To Holmes County!
Located in the northwest section of the State
of Florida in an area
known
for southern hospitality and natural beauty is the rural County
of Holmes. Holmes County was established on Jan 7, 1848 as
the State’s twenty seventh county. It was the second
county established after the Florida Territory achieved statehood
in 1845. Since then the land and the inhabitants have enjoyed
in some cases, and endured in others, many changes. It is an
area that is rich in history, natural resources, character,
and progress.
The
early settlers of Holmes County were preceded primarily by
Native American Indians. Artifacts found in the surrounding
area serve as a testimony of their occupancy and livelihood
for many thousand years. Holmes County was named possibly
for Holmes Creek which was supposedly named for the Creek
Indian Chief Holmes.
The
Legislature positioned the first governing bodies, the Circuit
Court and County Commission, at Hewett’s Bluff on the
bank of the Choctawhatchee River. Resident voters later chose
Hewett’s Bluff to continue hosting the county seat
of government. A post office was established at the site
on July 5, 1848 and it was named Cerro Gordo. In 1861 the
Legislature formerly changed the county seat’s name
to Cerro Gordo. During the following years the communities
of Westville and Pittman Ferry held the distinction of being
the county seat until the honor finally settled in Bonifay
in 1905.
Surrounded
by forests, creeks, clear springs, rivers, lakes, swamps
and wetlands, inhabitants had an opportunity to see nature
at its very best. The area could then be described as lush
forest land with deep flowing streams and native plants ample
to support a wide variety of wildlife. It also provided various
opportunities to support a growing number of early settlers.
The early settlers became progressively involved in such
industries as logging, farming, cattle ranching, and other
agricultural endeavors. The same is true today. The Choctawhatchee
River and Holmes Creek continue to serve as county line boundaries
in many areas and both still exhibit clean flowing streams
lined with long leaf and loblolly pine, cedar, cypress, many
varieties of hardwood, and farmland. Several other streams,
lakes and ponds also continue to contribute to the quality
of nature. Native wildlife can still be enjoyed by both amateur
and professional nature seekers. Conservation projects practiced
in the area has helped to maintain a balance between man
and nature.
According
to the Census of 1850 the population was recorded as 1,205.
Today the population is estimated to be approximately 20,000.
Towns other than Bonifay in the County include Esto, PonceDeLeon,
Westville, Poplar Springs, Noma and Prosperity. There are
also small communities and neighborhoods spread across the
County far too numerous to mention but equally important
in making Homes County a great place to live.
The
geographical location of Holmes County makes it an ideal
location for both business and pleasure. It is centrally
located between the major cities of Pensacola, Tallahassee,
and Panama City. Proximity to a major Interstate Highway
System (I-10 and US 90), multiple improved state maintained
roads (SR 79 and SR 2), a system of rural county roads (paved
and dirt), and commercial rail and air transportation systems,
coupled with available real estate and economic develop incentives,
empowers Holmes County entrepreneurs to pursue an enormous
variety of business prospects.
The
Holmes County Economic Development Commission and the Chamber
of Commerce, through cooperative endeavors, continue to seek
out and pursue economic opportunities that offer potential
to better position the area to be proactive rather than reactive
to future changes in the economy, public policy, the demands
of a growing population and a changing job market. Although
agricultural industries are still predominant to the area,
other industries with exciting potential for economic growth
are beginning to emerge. Environmentally friendly commercial
manufacturing, retail sales, auto repair, real estate, residential
and commercial construction, general assembly, computer sales
and services, commercial trucking and ecological tourism
are but a few of the promising industries. It is also noteworthy
that Holmes County is centrally located between several Department
of Defense military installations (Tyndall and Eglin Air
Force Bases, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Pensacola Naval
Air Station, and Forts Rucker and Benning Army Installations).
At
the request of the Development Commission two studies were
recently conducted by independent and professional organizations
and both concluded Holmes County has tremendous potential
to support an ecological tourism market. Taking advantage
of this information, the Development Commission has ongoing
initiatives that are producing very encouraging results and
may soon develop into mature and exciting opportunities for
both residents and tourists to the area.
We
encourage you to explore this website to learn more about
Holmes County, the people who live here, the local government,
education, business opportunities and other local area items
of interest. If you would like additional information about
economic development initiatives in the area, please contact
either the Development Commission or the Chamber of Commerce
at 850-547-4682
There’s
no place like Holmes
