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.
A Spring Weekend Worth Lingering For
Summit on the Circle returns to Lake DeFuniak April 24–26, 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.
Hard Hats & High Heels
On Friday, February 13, 2026, the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa will host women from across the county who are ready to do more than raise money. They’re ready to build. The luncheon kicks off Habitat’s 2026 Women Build Workshops, a series of build days that prove when women lead, communities gain.
Seaside Prize 2026
The SEASIDE Institute™ has announced the recipients of the 2026 SEASIDE Prize™, a recognition reserved for those whose work has shaped the fields of architecture, urban planning, and community development. The prize is awarded annually to individuals whose contributions have a lasting impact on how places are built and experienced.
Henry Park Reopens in DeFuniak Springs
In the heart of DeFuniak Springs, where arrivals once stepped from the train and into a season of music and welcome, Henry Park is opening a new chapter. Long a gathering place for travelers, townspeople, and musicians alike, the historic park now stands renewed—its restoration honoring both the community that shaped it and the future it continues to invite.
Freeport Isn’t “Coming”
— It’s Already Here
If you live anywhere along Highway 331, you don’t need a market report to tell you something has shifted. You feel it in the traffic that no longer thins out mid-day. You notice it in the cranes rising beyond the tree line, the freshly staked parcels, the new signage appearing almost overnight. And you hear it—in grocery store aisles, at stoplights, over coffee—What’s going in there?





