40 years ago — 1974
The Destin Christmas Parade route was from Benning Drive down U.S. 98 to Moreno Plaza, and the prizes were $25, $15 and $10 for the three best entries.
The first meeting of Destin’s Snowbirds and Mockingbirds was announced.
The Christmas Day buffet at the Hawaiki in Destin included ham, turkey, dressing, fruitcake and all the trimmings for $4.50.
35 years ago — 1979
The Lakeshore Woman’s Club Mistletoe Ball gave proceeds for renovations at the Destin Community Center.
The Destin Community Center postponed its plans for a museum in the Old Destin Post Office building until funds could be raised for the project.
The American Red Cross presented a plaque of appreciation to Nell Kurtz, chairman of Destin’s blood drives.
30 years ago — 1984
The state Legislature approved moving Destin’s first city election from Christmas Eve to Jan. 8.
The state Department of Transportation began installing a traffic signal at U.S. 98 and Main Street.
The state Department of Environmental Regulation ruled that Shoreline Village Mall and the Magnolia Bay Club could not connect to the Destin Water User’s sewer system because the utility had no operating permit.
Okaloosa County commissioners removed their opposition to a designated anchorage in Old Pass Lagoon, dumping the controversial issue into the new city’s lap.
25 years ago — 1989
The nearly completed Sealoft II condominium on U.S. 98 was destroyed by fire, and developers vowed to rebuild it.
Terry Watkins and Michael Odom were honored with the first Heimlich Institute Save-A-Life Award for their roles in saving a 4 year old from drowning in August 1986.
The state announced the closing of Old U.S. 98 was scheduled for January.
20 years ago — 1994
A new chapter began for the Destin Library when the City Council agreed to give more than $300,000 to build a new facility.
The Greening of Destin raised more than $3,000 at a luncheon at Marina Café to help beautification efforts.
The production crew of the television show Rescue 9-1-1 was in Destin to re-enact the story of Hays Burton, known as the Miracle Baby, who fell in 1993 from the eighth floor balcony of a Destin condo to the parking lot and suffered no injuries.
Greening of Destin President Marcia Hull presented Destin developer Jay Odom an excellence award for his landscaping and planning contributions to the beautification of Destin.
Cinema 10 in Destin showed The Santa Clause, Pulp Fiction and Stargate.
10 years ago — 2004
Destin’s Local Planning Agency wrapped up a four-hour meeting by approving, with conditions, a development agreement with Pointe One company to build a 155-foot condo tower on Norriego Point.
City council voted unanimously for a traffic light at Airport and Main instead of a roundabout.
Out-of-state roofers could now work apply for a temporary permit to work in Destin, despite the fact homeowners could end up with substandard work.