Svea, Florida
Encyclopedia
Svea is a community in Okaloosa County
, Florida
. It is between Laurel Hill
and the Harrison Curve Community on the Okaloosa County line. Most of the community exists straddling State Highway 85. Pronounced "Sweer" by locals.
History
The original settlers were Swedes and Norwegians. At the turn of the 20th century, a real estate promoter lured immigrants to Florida from Chicago. The first homesteaders arrived at Svea in the late 19th century. They platted out the town and recorded their dream community in what was then Walton (now Okaloosa) County. The platting was controversial because the Norwegians had a name in the hat also, but there were more Swedes than Norwegians, so they won out. Mrs. Ouida Grimes recalled stories told by her in-laws. Svea means "extraordinarily beautiful" - the town grew slowly - three stores, a post office and a small cotton gin and saw mill and railroad depot provided work for a few people. A school was built in 1937 and the town had two churches, Svea Baptist and Svea Assembly of God. But, by the time the churches were built, most of the Swedes and Norwegians had left. Today, there is no sign of the train depot, the stores are gone and a small cemetery remains as do several small houses.
Schools
Most student in the area are bused to Laurel Hill High School or Paxton High School, usually depending on the side of the county line they reside on.
Churches
There are two churches in the area, Bethel Assembly of God (on the Dorcas Highway County Road 393), Svea Assembly of God on Highway 85.
Decent website (travelingluck.com) providing further information (all distances in km).
Okaloosa County, Florida
Okaloosa County is a county located in the state of Florida. Located in northwest Florida, it extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line. As of the 2000 census, the population was 170,498. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 182,172. The 2009 estimate for the...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It is between Laurel Hill
Laurel Hill, Florida
Laurel Hill is a city in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. The population was 549 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 576...
and the Harrison Curve Community on the Okaloosa County line. Most of the community exists straddling State Highway 85. Pronounced "Sweer" by locals.
History
The original settlers were Swedes and Norwegians. At the turn of the 20th century, a real estate promoter lured immigrants to Florida from Chicago. The first homesteaders arrived at Svea in the late 19th century. They platted out the town and recorded their dream community in what was then Walton (now Okaloosa) County. The platting was controversial because the Norwegians had a name in the hat also, but there were more Swedes than Norwegians, so they won out. Mrs. Ouida Grimes recalled stories told by her in-laws. Svea means "extraordinarily beautiful" - the town grew slowly - three stores, a post office and a small cotton gin and saw mill and railroad depot provided work for a few people. A school was built in 1937 and the town had two churches, Svea Baptist and Svea Assembly of God. But, by the time the churches were built, most of the Swedes and Norwegians had left. Today, there is no sign of the train depot, the stores are gone and a small cemetery remains as do several small houses.
Schools
Most student in the area are bused to Laurel Hill High School or Paxton High School, usually depending on the side of the county line they reside on.
Churches
There are two churches in the area, Bethel Assembly of God (on the Dorcas Highway County Road 393), Svea Assembly of God on Highway 85.
Decent website (travelingluck.com) providing further information (all distances in km).