Historic Destin Home Site for Sale

Beautiful bay front lots in Destin range in price from around $500,000 to $2,000,000. This special particular parcel of property for sale sits right on the bay in a sought after part of Destin and is priced well below the average. Location is always key when it comes to real estate value and this property has it in spades! This ½ acre waterfront lot is conveniently close to Destin’s Harborwalk Village placing it minutes away from abundant restaurants, lively bars, shopping, seasonal festivities and free concerts. It faces northwest out across the Choctawhatchee Bay just north of Crab Island near Marler Bayou with enough room to dock a boat that can motor off into the glistening gulf. Spectacular sunsets occur over the bay from spring till early fall. The gorgeous grounds are covered with ancient Live Oak trees that provide a dreamy magical look. This Destin property also happens to come with a partially restored historic home.

Originally this beautiful property was part of the land holdings of the Marler family for whom the Destin Bridge is named. They arrived in Destin right after the Civil War. William Elisha Marler and his wife Sarah Lancaster married in Webster County, Georgia before the war ended and moved to Boggy Bayou (Niceville) to start a new life. They had eight children but in later years William Marler’s health was failing so his oldest son came over by boat to help Leonard Destin with his burgeoning fishing enterprise. Within a year he brought over his parents and family who settled on this property that encompassed lots of bay frontage. Over the years it was divided and subdivided among the children and grandchildren. Most of the Marler family worked for generations as prominent Destin fishermen. The property has a warm ambiance since many wonderful events occurred here over the years including children playing beneath the majestic oaks, fishing or crabbing on the bay, swimming, watching heavenly sunsets, counting dolphin and watching seabirds.

Homes built back in those times were quite rustic. Electricity wasn’t introduced to Destin until the 1940s and homes were constructed from large timber beams cut on the north side of the bay. They were brought over by boat to be put together on site. The original home on this property is long gone, however another historic home was moved to this location in its place. The present home on this site was owned by the Staff family of Ft. Walton Beach and was originally built in 1906. It sits on a raised foundation with steps leading to a wide veranda that spans the front porch with four square beamed columns and a high portico above. A triple set of double French doors face out toward the front with views through the towering oaks of the bay. There is also a columned side porch and decorative railed balcony above. This historic Destin home has been partially completed and is about 75% done. It has high ceilings and simple stained glass transom windows providing a charming look.

This historic property is listed at $469,900. Contact our Ocean Reef Real Estate office today and speak to one of our sales consultants today at (877) 392-6085 for more information.