Located right on the Gulf of Mexico on County Hwy 30A, you'll find one of Northwest Florida's oldest beach towns. With beautiful views, great restaurants, and rich town history, you'll find that Grayton Beach is a refreshing step off the beaten path. Here are just seven fun facts about Grayton Beach you might not have known.
1. Army major, Charles Gray is the town's namesake.
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Charles Gray was one of the first settlers in Grayton Beach when he moved down here in 1885. Before then, the area was pretty much inhabited due to its sandy soil that made farming difficult. The government also owned a majority of the land in the 1800s as well.
2. The oldest building in Grayton Beach dates back to 1890.
Known as the Wash-A-Way, Captain Charles Gray's home is the oldest building in town and is located at the end of County Road 283. Located steps from the Gulf of Mexico, it's had a turbulent history. It actually survived three major hurricanes including one in 1926, Hurricane Eloise in the late 1970s, and Hurricane Opal in 1995. The home is actually on stilts today to prevent future hurricane damage.
3. Grayton Beach wasn't really developed until the Butler family purchased most of the land in 1913.
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In 1913, the Butler family purchased a majority of the land in Grayton Beach in hopes of making the town a resort destination. When they first bought the land, there were only four or five houses in town and the are was almost entirely abandoned. The town didn't even have electricity until the 1940s.
4. The Coast Guard establishes a 40-man station in Grayton Beach in 1942 during WWII.
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During WWII, the Coast Guard set up a temporary station in Grayton Beach. The government rented out many of the homes in town to use as barracks and offices. Captain Gray's home, Wash-A-Way, was even used as the headquarters for a Coast Guard cavalry unit.
5. Efforts to build large scale developments in Grayton Beach have failed.
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Despite Grayton Beach's growing popularity, the area is still free of large scale developments. You won't see any high-rise condos in Grayton Beach. The village is surrounded by state parkland, which ensures that Grayton Beach will stay its own little corner of the world for the foreseeable future, which is perfect for anyone looking for an Old-Florida style getaway.
6. Grayton Beach made Coastal Living's list of the Top 10 Walking Beaches.
Just a few weeks ago, Coastal Living named Grayton Beach the 2nd best walking beach. It's not hard to see why. Grayton Beach features crystal white sand and dazzling turquoise waters. Not to mention, Grayton Beach boasts some of the best sunsets and sunrises in the country.
7. "Dr. Beach" named Grayton Beach the most beautiful beach in America.
In addition to Coastal Living, "Dr. Beach" also loved Grayton Beach. It even earned the title of best beach in America. There's really something for everyone in Grayton Beach. Whether you're looking for a modern luxury home, Old-Florida style beach house, or a "glamping" experience, Grayton Beach has you covered.
8. The unofficial town slogan is "Nice dogs, Strange people."
It's not hard to see that Grayton Beach is a charming little town with a ton of spunk. With quirky little shops, restaurants, and businesses, it's a fun place to be. It's also a fun place to meet great dogs... and there's no shortage of pups around here. That's probably why the town's unofficial slogan is "Nice dogs, Strange People."
We could go on for days about how much we love this beach town, but you'll need to come here yourself to experience the magic of Grayton Beach firsthand. When you're ready to book a vacation to the area, check out some of our favorite Grayton Beach homes like Stork's Nest, Leisure by the Sea, and Capital Gains to have yourself a true Five Star experience!
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