Fort Place, or Richard's Fort, five miles south and erected in the early 1800's, is considered the forerunner of Wewahitchka, though people lived in the area earlier. Wewahitchka, an Indian name meaning water eyes, was the first permanent settlement in what is now Gulf County and was named by Rev. John W. Richards in 1875 when a log church and school were completed to serve about 25 families. Early settlers were supported by citrus groves, apiaries, livestock, and timber, and the first newspaper was the Calhoun Times in 1883. Among the early families were the Richards, Keyes, McDaniel, Stone, Strange, Maddox, Bell, Burgess, Mitchell, and Smith. The community grew rapidly in the early 1880's and became known for excellent fishing and hunting in the Dead Lakes, streams, and forest. Steamboats on the nearby Apalachicola River also strengthened the economy. When Gulf County was created from Calhoun County in 1925, Wewahitchka became the first county seat and remained so for 40 years.