The Landing consists of 5.86 acres on Santa Rosa Sound and includes an important prehistoric Native American shell, or midden, mound dating from the Woodland Time period. It was also the site of an encampment of Confederate soldiers called the Walton Guard, whose camp would later stand at the center of the developing city. Acting as an independent company, the Walton Guard guarded the Narrows on Santa Rosa Sound and the East Pass in the defense of the navy yard at Pensacola. Some of its men saw action at East Pass, now Destin, when they confronted and ambushed a Union landing party and gunboat. The Walton Guard later fought as part of the Confederate 1st Florida Infantry Regiment at the battles of Perryville, Stone's River, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and in the Atlanta Campaign. The land was acquired by the City of Fort Walton Beach and became Landing Park in 1986.