History

Perdido Key, also know as Lost Key, was named by the Spanish cartographer Carlos de Sigüenza y Góngora in 1693. He named it this because he had a difficult time finding deep water access to Perdido Bay. During a storm he asked some natives and they directed him to the naturally occurring inlet. The primary groups of Native Americans that would have utilized the fertile waters of Perdido Key include the Pensacola and Creek tribes.

Before acquisition of Perdido Key State Park in 1980, this area was utilized as a military base until 1954 when the land was declared excess and auctioned by the Navy. The 700-acre area was formerly called the Gulf Beach Gunnery range. 

Historical photography from 1941 and 1958 shows the north side of Perdido Key as expanses of open grasslands dominated by sea oats. These historic aerials show much smaller swales prior to the increase of development on the key.

As a barrier island, Perdido Key has undergone massive changes due to the high wave energy climate and natural erosion. There is evidence of historical shell middens, but they do not display typical midden structure due to the scattering effects of tropical systems.

The hydrology of Perdido Key is altered heavily due to developments built without stormwater areas thus funneling increased runoff to the natural areas of the key. These changes are obvious when looking at the exponential increase of interdunal swales. This area has become much wetter in recent history due to the addition of impervious substrates. Additionally, this runoff includes excess nutrients.

This accumulation of freshwater and nutrients make these swales an ideal area for exotic plants which are evident with the establishment of cogon grass. AmeriCorps interns supported by park staff continue to make headway decreasing the exotics in the park to return the area to its natural state and preserve the Real Florida.