Descendants and community members connected to two of Destin’s founding families—the William T. Marler and John George Maltezos families—are invited to take part in an important local history project. Destin’s 15 founding families are defined as those who lived here prior to the completion of the Destin Bridge in 1936.
Local historian Claude Newland is preparing two long-awaited books and is seeking stories, photos and historical details from the community. An informational workshop was held May 2 at the Destin Community Center in conjunction with the city’s annual Founder’s Day Celebration, where attendees learned how to contribute to preserving this rich Emerald Coast history. If you missed the May 2 workshop, there’s still time to get involved.
Now, the effort continues—and broader community participation is encouraged. All contributions, whether detailed family histories or simple memories and photographs, will be credited. The goal is to publish both books in time for the 2027 Destin Founder’s Day Celebration.
William T. Marler, known as “Uncle Billy,” worked for founder Leonard Destin as a youth, later serving as a lighthouse keeper and Destin’s first postmaster. He named the city in honor of Destin, and the Destin Bridge bears his name. His descendants became some of the area’s earliest charter boat captains.
John George Maltezos arrived in the United States as a young stowaway from Greece, eventually settling in Northwest Florida. A skilled boat builder and fisherman, he later moved to Destin, where his family became intertwined with several prominent local families, including the Marlers, Coxs, Brooks, Woodwards and Walters.
Community members are encouraged to begin writing down family stories and gathering photos to ensure these legacies are preserved. Each of the families’ nine children will have a dedicated chapter in the books, highlighting their lasting impact on the Destin community.
For more information or to contribute, contact Claude Newland at 850-582-1074 or rustic19@cox.net.
