Coming down Highway 90, a traveler crosses the bridge over Blackwater River to enter Milton
Parallel to the auto bridge is the old L & N Railroad bridge, it's one of the few swing span bridges still around
View of the Blackwater River from the bridge
The opposite direction
Twenty years ago or so the town fathers
replaced all the
rundown wharves and buildings along with a beautiful river walk
Close up of the gazebo on the river walk
River walk and restored buildings along the river in Milton
For many years the first thing you saw after crossing the bridge was the Fisher & Hamilton Hardware store with the large white lettering on its brick wall. The store is long gone but since the logo was such an important part of Milton history, the new owners decided to restore it.
Here is a picture of the original hardware store taken in 1954. My aunt Lois Hudson (left) was
Miss Santa Rosa County that year and was in a parade through downtown Milton
More restored buildings in downtown Milton
Next to the Fisher & Hamilton hardware store was the Barnes family pool hall, it is now a residence
Another view of Willing Street. This was the main street in Milton, the old downtown section.
It is mainly professional offices and some residences.
Looking further down Willing Street
A beautiful mural depicting Milton's past.
At one time Milton was a port of entry into the United States
and the Customs office survived well into the 1970s
The old Imogene Theatre, a wonderful old landmark, was actually an opera house in the early 19th century, but sat unused for maybe 50 years. Then it was finally rebuilt and preserved and they now have functions of different kinds.
The Santa Rosa County Courthouse
Looking down Caroline Street, the Imogene Theatre is on the right
This mural on Caroline Street in downtown
Milton celebrates the doctors who have served the community over the last
century
Left to right: Rufus Thames, MD 1874-1953, Sim Thames, MD 1884-1943, John C.
Holley, Sr. MD 1889-1967,
John P. Merchant, Jr. MD 1925-, Rufus Thames, Jr. MD 1927-1990, Jimmy Barnes MD
1930-1992
Most of the Hudson family and their descendants who lived in Milton were served
by these doctors
Looking up Caroline Street toward the bridge
Caroline Street with the lawn of the Santa Rosa County Courthouse
The Exchange Hotel, a very old hotel that sat vacant and deteriorating for many years.
The city fathers completely restored this old icon for future generations
A beautiful old church in the Milton downtown area
Berryhill Elementary School is now used for Santa Rosa County education system offices
The old Milton High School became part of Pensacola Junior College when the new Milton High School was built
Pond Creek, a popular swimming place for Milton residents
The old Bagdad Post Office