HWY 331 Communities
HWY 331 plays a crucial role in connecting our vibrant communities in Walton County, Florida.
DeFuniak Springs
DeFuniak Springs, Florida, is known for its historical significance and charming features. It’s home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and local businesses, often reflecting the town’s character and heritage. The downtown area is also notable for the presence of historic homes, many of which are well-preserved and add to the overall ambiance of the street. You can expect to find a mix of local businesses, cultural attractions, and architectural beauty throughout DeFuniak Springs.
Freeport
Freeport is known for its small-town charm and proximity to natural attractions. The city is surrounded by natural beauty, with three miles of bay front within the city limits alone. With nearby rivers, creeks, and forested areas, there are endless opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, hunting and hiking. It’s a small town with a big heart that happens to be one of the fastest growing city in the state of Florida.
Walton & Beyond
The mighty HWY 331 bridge unites Walton County – north and south. Likewise, the HWY 331 website, newsletter, podcast and social channels bridge the gap between locals and visitors in Walton County. By sharing stories, we cultivate a strong sense of community as a whole. All stories we share can be found here.
Eglin Federal Credit Union Earns National Recognition for Veteran Savings Efforts
Eglin Federal Credit Union was one of five credit unions nationwide to earn the Designation of Savings Excellence (DOSE) Award for its efforts during Veteran Saves Week 2025. The DOSE Award is an industry-respected annual honor that recognizes financial institutions that actively and effectively promote saving strategies during Veteran Saves Week, which took place Nov. 4–7, 2025.
Walton County Commissioners Advance Key Community Projects
At their January 27 meeting, the Walton County Board of Commissioners addressed a range of projects affecting residents, public spaces, and local infrastructure. Eastern Lake was a major topic. More than 60 residents and stakeholders attended a public workshop to oppose new amenities, including restrooms and dune walkovers. Commissioners voted to table the project, keeping the lake area undeveloped for the time being.
Where the Circle Widens
There are places where history doesn’t sit behind glass. It walks the sidewalk at dusk. It waits on shaded porches. It gathers—still—when given the right invitation.
Lake DeFuniak has always been one of those places.
Nearly perfectly round and improbably calm, the lake has long served as both compass and common ground for DeFuniak Springs. In the late nineteenth century, it drew educators, thinkers, musicians and families from across the country for the Florida Chautauqua—an ambitious experiment in lifelong learning that once placed this small Panhandle town at the center of a national cultural movement.
2026 Walton County Commission Elections
Two seats on the Walton County Board of County Commissioners will be on the ballot in 2026: District 2 and District 4. The Primary Election, if required, is scheduled for August 18, 2026, followed by the General Election on November 3, 2026.
A Spring Weekend Worth Lingering For
Summit on the Circle returns to Lake DeFuniak April 23–26, 2026, for a spring weekend shaped by music, conversation, and the stories that connect us to place and one another. Set within the Lake DeFuniak Historic District, the second annual gathering offers thoughtfully curated experiences rooted in Southern hospitality, culture, and community—inviting guests to slow down, linger, and listen.
The Lake That Built A Town
A film that marks the first chapter in a series that uses DeFuniak Springs as a lens on small-town America—its landscapes, its rhythms, and the community organizations that shape them.
Walton Forever
On January 13, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners took a quiet but significant step to preserve the county’s rural character. With a unanimous vote, the board adopted the Walton Forever Land Acquisition Program — a locally controlled framework designed to protect agricultural, forested, and environmentally sensitive land through conservation easements and strategic acquisitions.
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