Okaloosa County was created by the Florida State Legislature in 1915 from parts of Santa Rosa and Walton Counties. The influence of W.H. Mapoles, Sr., then a legislative representative from Walton County, was an important factor in the county’s creation. Its name was derived from Indian words variously interpreted as “black water,” “pleasant place,” or “a place of rest.” The first county seat was Milligan, a sawmill town, and in 1917 Crestview was selected as the permanent county seat. Okaloosa County’s economy is based on agriculture, forestry, and tourism.