Wewahitchka, Gulf County

Wewahitchka is 67 miles from Tallahassee. The community is known as "the little city, with the big heart” is home of the World Famous Dead Lakes and Tupelo Honey. Wewa is best known for the nearby Dead Lakes, an 80 square mile area that provides some of the best freshwater fishing in the nation. The lake was formed years ago, when the waters of the Apalachicola and Chipola Rivers converged on a cypress swamp, flooding the low-lying area and forming a lake. Later, a flood of salt water temporarily replaced the fresh water, killing the cypress trees and leaving only stumps, thus the name Dead Lakes.

 

Dr. William C. Mitchell and others established Wewahitchka in 1875. The first permanent settlement in Gulf County, Wewahitchka is an Indian name that means "water eyes" and was chosen because two oblong lakes along the town's edge form a perfect pair of eyes. A pronounced ridge, a few feet wide, separates them and corresponds to the bridge of the nose. An aviator can easily distinguish this formation from aloft. Other interpretations of the name point to "water view" or "place where water is obtained."

 

Dalkeith is located just south of Wewahitchka, off Highway 71 on CR-382, home to the Gaskin Park Boat Landing and park.

 

Local attractions include fishing and hunting in Dead Lakes and nearby forests.

 

Nearby communities include Mexico Beach (18.5 miles), Port St. Joe (22 miles), Blountstown (25 miles), Tyndall AFB (26 miles), Callaway (26 miles), Bristol (26.5 miles), Parker (27.5 miles) and Springfield (28.5 miles).

314 North Second Street, Wewahitchka, FL 32465

850.639.2419; 850.639.3862 Fax