Laurel Hill was started during the Civil War as the Southern Families moved further south to escape the war. It was first known as Old California. The name was changed to Laurel Hill about the turn of the century. It was so named because of a large Laurel Tree in the center of the town used for hitching horses etc. In later years due to constant use the bark of the tree was worn away and the tree died.

    In 1887 the post office was moved from Oak Grove to Laurel Hill. Also in 1887 the Yellow River Railroad was built to haul Logs from this area. This rail ran from  Crestview Fl. to Florala, Al. a distance of 26 miles. In 1894 passenger and freight services were begun, and this opened the area to a booming business.

    At about this time there were two cotton gins in the area as well as eighteen other businesses. These included dry goods, hardware, drugstore and grocery stores, boarding houses, a hotel, a telephone exchange, and two banks. There were three doctors and the town had it's own newspaper, The Laurel Hill Gazette. By 1900 most of the timber was gone and the community turn to agriculture to sustain itself. Cotton was the major product as well as peanuts, sugar cane, and blueberries. Cattle and hogs also contributed to the income of the community.

    In 1915 through the efforts of Daniel Campbell, Earnest Campbell, J. C. Chestnut, R. S. Hart, Sr., D. T. Finalayson and Alex Von Axelsen the town of Laurel Hill was incorporated. It was the first town incorporated in Okaloosa County. Representative William Mapoles, The Father of Okaloosa County, was from Laurel Hill. In 1913 and in 1915 he introduced legislation to form Okaloosa County. In 1915 the bill was passed to form Okaloosa County.

    In the late 1920's and 1930's the town did not fair very well because of the depression. The roads to town were not paved, by now the railroad had stopped passenger service to the area. At the time of incorporation there were 300 residents. In 1956 the population was 441. Today the population is about 650 residents.
 

Many Thanks to Fay for writing down the history
of Laurel Hill and sending it to me!