1915 – Okaloosa County, Florida’s 52^nd county was created on this date. The name Okaloosa is derived from a Choctaw word meaning “black water.” A steamboat operating on the Blackwater River named the Okaloosa brought passengers from Milton to Pensacola.  One of the county’s early settlers and State Representative William Mapoles first introduced the bill to create Okaloosa County citing the recent population growth due to the burgeoning lumber, turpentine and fishing industries in the area and the need for more representation. Okaloosa County is now home to over 180,000 residents many of whole are associated with Eglin Air Force Base.