Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Santa Rosa Beach is a city located on the Gulf of Mexico in Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 10,527. The city is part of the Panama City– Lynn Haven– Panama City Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The first European to visit what would become Santa Rosa Beach was Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1539. He named it La Paz after seeing an abundance of fish in the area. The first permanent settler arrived in 1883 when George W. Smith built a small cabin on what is now known as Front Street. In 1886, Smith sold his land to A.J. Dickson who built a hotel on it that same year and called it Dickson's Hotel and Resort (now known as The Breakers). In 1895, Jethro Tullis bought Dickson's Hotel and Resort and renamed it Tullis' Hotel and Resort (now known as The Sands). By 1906, there were enough people living in Santa Rosa Beach to form a town council and elect a mayor; they chose A.L. "Doc" Holliday who served until 1909 when he resigned to run for Congress; he was succeeded by Cephas Larkin who served until 1917 when he resigned to serve in World War I; Holliday was re-elected mayor that same year and served until 1925 when he retired due to ill health; he was succeeded by Charles Eberhart who served until 1931 when he resigned due to ill health; Holliday was re-elected mayor that same year and served until 1935 when he retired again due to ill health; John Cavanaugh was elected mayor that same year and served until 1949 when he resigned due to illness; Harry Gentry took over as mayor that same year and served until 1957 when he retired due to ill health; James Fenton took over as mayor that same year and served until 1971 when Jerry Sanders became mayor following Fenton's retirement from politics at age 73 years old after serving for more than 30 years including 14 years as Mayor Pro Tem (similar position held by Sanders prioritizes deputy mayors); Sanders continued serving as Mayor Pro Tem before being elected Mayor in 1978 whereupon his term ended December 31st 1981 but resumed service January 1st 1982 whereupon his term ended December 31st 1989 but resumed service January 1st 1990 whereupon his term ended December 31st 1995 but resumed service January 1st 1996 whereupon his term expired December 31th 2001 but resumed service January 1st 2002 whereupon his term expired December 31th 2007 but resumed service January 1st 2008

In 1979, Santa Rosa Beach annexed its first mainland neighborhood – Seaside Heights – which added about 2 square miles (5 km²) of land bringing the total size of the city limits up to about 9 square miles (23 km²). On November 3rd 1987 voters approved an annexation referendum for unincorporated areas along Ocean Boulevard east of U.S Highway 98 including portions now occupied by Emerald Isle Estates Condominiums, Emerald Isle Villas & Townhomes Association, Seaside Shores Estates Condominiums & Townhomes Association among others making Santa Rosa Beach one city with jurisdiction over all incorporated areas east of U S Highway 98 except for those within Emerald Isle Estates which remain under private ownership

On February 2nd 2006 voters approved an annexation referendum for unincorporated areas along Bayou La Batre Road south of U S Highway 98 including portions now occupied by Bayou La Batre Village Apartments among others making Santa Rosa Beach one city with jurisdiction over all incorporated areas south of U S Highway 98 except for those within Bayou La Batre Village Apartments which remain under private ownership

On November 3rd 2009 voters approved an annexation referendum for unincorporated areas along State Road 90 west of U S Highway 98 including portions now occupied by Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park among others making Santa Rosa Beach one city with jurisdiction over all incorporated areas west of State Road 90 except for those within Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park which remains under private ownership

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land .

As is typical with much coastal real estate development throughout Florida during this time period because federal government restrictions prohibited new home construction further inland than 100 feet from shoreline - much beachfront property near present day Santa Rosa Beach remained undeveloped well into the 1960s - 1970s many parcels were purchased at bargain basement prices primarily because they were not subject or restricted building codes or zoning regulations such as height limits or setbacks from water's edge Today most residential development occurs either directly on beachfront property or adjacent thereto although there are still large tracts available either undeveloped or zoned exclusively commercial/industrial