Traveling along Hwy 30A in South Walton County you can’t help but notice the Butteries at Alys Beach.
The word “Buttery” is an old British expression that represented a place for making or storing butter and milk. The term continued to be used in Bermuda to describe the minaret shaped structures used to store perishable food before refrigeration.
As you enter Alys Beach there are 2 butteries on the eastern edge of the community and 2 on the western edge.
Inside each buttery are beautiful mosaic tiles, created by Concetta Rothwell, depicting the history of South Walton County.
The first buttery features our Native American heritage.
My husband and children are descendants of the Creek Indians who once lived and played here so I’m always fascinated to learn about their culture and heritage.
The second set of tiles tells the story of the first Europeans exploring our area.
Unfortunately, the Spaniards discovering the area didn’t bode well for the Indians.
Troy’s grandfather told many stories that were handed down through his family about his Creek ancestors.
The particular tribe they belonged to went deep into the swamps as the Creek Indian War began and my husband’s family didn’t really come out into society until the early 1900s.
As a genealogy buff that’s a little frustrating because there are no records of people who avoided any kind of record keepers.
The third
And fourth butteries tell the stories of then to now
The butteries are interesting structures and the history inside each one gives visitors a brief look at the evolution of this area.
