Learn about local history at Jan/Feb presentations

For 2019, Klein has new topics and some new venues. Some of the venues have limited seating and reservations are required.

Do you have an interest in learning about the history of West Florida? Destin historian H.C. “Hank” Klein will be speaking about the history of Destin, Walton and Santa Rosa counties during several presentations in January and February, including presentations in Valparaiso and Niceville.

For 2019, Klein has new topics and some new venues. Some of the venues have limited seating and reservations are required.

Here is a list of Klein’s history presentations for January and February:

Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 5:30 pm
Location: Destin Library – 150 Sibert Avenue, Destin, FL
Title: STRANGE CONNECTIONS – Arcadia, Bagdad, and Destin, Florida
Call for Reservations – 837-8572

Date: Friday, January 11, 2019 at 12:00 noon
Location: Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida – 115 Westview Avenue, Valparaiso, FL
Title: The Early Days of WEST FLORIDA
Call for Reservations – 678-2615

Date: Monday, January 14, 2019 at 5:30 pm
Sons of Confederate Veterans – Valparaiso Library, 459 Valparaiso Parkway Valparaiso, FL
Title: Union Civil War Blockade at East Pass & Leonard Destin’s Captivity

Date: Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Location: Walton County Heritage Association – 1140 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs, FL
Title: MAJOR PUBLIC LAND LAWS in the United States

Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 10:30 am
Location: Robert L. F. Sikes Public Library – 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview, FL
Title: The Early Days of WEST FLORIDA
Call for Reservations – 850-682-4432

Date: Friday, January 25, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Heritage Park and Cultural Center of Fort Walton Beach – 139 Miracle Strip Parkway, SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Title: The OLD East Pass and the Destin Lighthouse Keepers
Call for Reservations – 833-9595

Date: Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 10:30 am
Location: Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County (Monthly Meeting) at the Fort Walton Beach Library
185 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton, FL
Title: MAJOR PUBLIC LAND LAWS in the United States

Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 10:00 am
Location: Coastal Library of Walton County – 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Title: Miramar Beach was once SHOALS, Florida

Date: Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 10:00 am
Location: The Resurrection Snowbird Group – Resurrection Catholic Church, 259 Miramar Beach Dr, Miramar Beach, FL
Title: DESTIN Pioneer Settlers…A Land History of Destin, Florida from 1819 – 1940

Date: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 7:00 am
Location: Mid-Bay Rotary Club – 4595 Hwy 20 East (American House at Bluewater Bay – 5th floor), Niceville, FL
Title: History Mystery TOO

Date: Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Location: Destin History and Fishing Museum – General Membership & Board Meeting, 108 Stahlman Avenue, Destin, FL
Title: The Early Days of WEST FLORIDA

Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Location: Destin History and Fishing Museum – 108 Stahlman Avenue, Destin, FL
Title: How Did Destin become DESTIN?

About H. C. “Hank” Klein:
H. C. “Hank” Klein has long been interested in the history of Destin, Florida, and the genealogy of his father-in-law’s and mother-in-law’s families (Marler and Shirah). Both came from pioneer Destin families, and both were related to Leonard Destin, the founder of Destin, Florida.

Klein’s father-in-law’s aunt, Emma Marler, married George Destin, the first-born son of Leonard and Martha Destin. While Hank’s mother-in-law’s sister, Alice Shirah, married George D. Destin the son of George Destin and grandson of Leonard and Martha Destin.

Klein has written books documenting his family genealogy and has a monthly HISTORY MYSTERY column in The Destin Log newspaper since 2013.

He recently published two interesting books full of newly discovered historical facts about early Destin titled: DESTIN Pioneer Settlers…A Land History of Destin, Florida from 1819-1940, and DESTIN’S Founding Father…The Untold Story of Leonard Destin.

Klein lived for many years in both Okaloosa and Bay Counties. He is now retired from his credit union management career, and he and his wife (the former Muriel Marler of Destin, Florida) live in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Contact him at klein@aristotle.net.