North Okaloosa County history

February 14, 1947 

• One of the City of Crestview’s major sources of revenue was wiped out here Monday night when the city council voted to repeal an ordinance, which imposed a tax of three cents each on adult admissions to various places of amusement. The ordinance, in operation since 1941, brought in more than $5,000 per year derived chiefly from the tax on theatre tickets paid by the public. The tax also applied to the many traveling shows and amusements, which stop here. Motion to repeal the ordinance was made by Councilman Neal Robinson and seconded by Elwyn Stewart, with no dissenting votes. The effective date of the repeal was set as March 1.

• Prospects of having every house in Okaloosa County sprayed with DDT appeared good here this week following a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday when plans were worked out for the project. The Florida State Board of Health contributes roughly two dollars for every one dollar contributed by the county towards defraying the total cost of this program. Plans call for the spraying to start in April and every house in the county will be treated with the approval of the residents. The insecticide is effective for six to 18 months and kills flies, ants, fleas, lice, bedbugs, cockroaches and dog flies. Eradication of these insects will cause a sharp decrease in malaria, typhus, typhoid and dysentery and is believed that it may aid in the control of infantile paralysis, health officials stated.

• Okaloosa County farmers and other interested persons are invited to attend a gum farming demonstration to be held at the farm of Alaton Campbell, located two and a half miles northwest of Laurel Hill, according to County Agent Fred W. Barber. The latest methods of putting up gutters, aprons and cups will be shown and the use of the new bark hack will be demonstrated as well as methods of acid stimulation. “Florida farmers working their slash and longleaf pine for gum turpentine are receiving a gross return of from 65 cent to 85 cent per tree this year,” said Barber, who suggests that timberland owners work their trees for naval stores before cutting for pulpwood or saw logs.