This city park includes the prehistoric Fort Walton Temple Mound, the Indian Temple Mound Museum, and two early 20th century historic structures. In April 1861, the local Confederate military unit, the Walton Guards, established Camp Walton at the base of the massive temple mound and used its top as a post for observing the movement of Union ships in the Gulf of Mexico.

In March 1862, troops from Camp Walton skirmished with a landing force of Union sailors at East Pass (present day Destin). In the ensuing fight, the Union force suffered two dead and two wounded while the Confederate force suffered no serious casualties. In response, a small Union force from Fort Pickens shelled Camp Walton from Santa Rosa Island in April 1862.

Although camp buildings were destroyed by fire, no casualties were reported. To defend Camp Walton against future attacks, Confederate General Braxton Bragg had an 18-pounder carronade cannon moved to the camp from Fort Barrancas in Pensacola.

In August 1862, Camp Walton was abandoned and the troops sent to the Army of Tennessee as part of the 1st Florida Infantry. The cannon was disabled and buried in a prehistoric shell mound.

Discovered in the 1930s, the artillery piece was first displayed at the nearby Indianola Inn until the hotel burned down in 1962. The cannon was then moved to the outside of the Indian Temple Mound Museum, where it is now on display.

The museum also houses a Civil War exhibit with period artifacts which is scheduled to be moved to a newly-constructed building at the center. Two State Historical Markers for Fort Walton and the Indianola Inn, an Indian Midden Mound, and Civil War Cannons" contain information on the history of Camp Walton.

Image courtesy the web site: www.fwb.org/index.php/museums.html

Information Provided by Florida Department of State.