Gulf Shore Manor

Gulf Shore Manor is an historic neighborhood located in Seagrove Beach, Florida along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.   Bordered by Pelayo Avenue on the east and Dothan Avenue to the west, the north boundary abuts Point Washington State Forest and the southernmost edge is the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 

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This 142 acre subdivision is zoned residential preservation with 315 single family home sites (Walton County appraiser, 2019).  All Gulf Shore Manor property owners have an established perpetual non-exclusive easement use right to access and enjoy Gulf Shore Beach (the top of the dunes) and Bathing Beach (the dry sand beach) from Pelayo to Dothan Avenues (Final Judgements 1993 and 1994).

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Gulf Shore Manor was platted by George P. Manus in 1925 and was recorded on July 17, 1925 at Deed Bk. 63, pg. 603 (the “GSM Plat”).   The GSM Plat shows several proposed streets, including three north/south streets terminating on the south at the Gulf Shore Beach easement area that in turn adjoins the Gulf of Mexico public beach.  The GSM Plat does not contain language that the street rights of way are “hereby dedicated” or “proposed to be dedicated” or any other language expressing an intent to dedicate the streets to the public.  The GSM Plat does not contain any language expressing any proposed ownership of the street right of way (ROW) or reserving any residual ownership rights in the developer or his heirs or assignees.  Highway 30A was constructed sometime in the 1970s.   In January 1985,  Walton County adopted a resolution to accept that portion of  San Juan Avenue, Santa Clara Drive and Montego Avenue lying south of 30A .   That same year, Jim Estes, the first resident on Montego, cut the original sandy path on Montego Avenue that leads to the beach.  Jim and future residents have continued to maintain the trail thorough the native vegetation on this ROW. 

Each street on the original GSM plat ends at Gulf Shore Beach.  Originally, ladders were used to traverse the 35 foot bluffs so residents could get onto the sugary white sands, but now more sophisticated wooden walk overs make life easier.  Property owners and the public have all enjoyed and respected our neighborhood beaches for almost 100 years.

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References

 Walton County Appraiser, 2019, http://qpublic.net/fl/walton/

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Deed book 

      http://clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us/public_records/official_records_new.html

 

Final Judgment, Walton County Circuit Court, CASE NO. 92-0553-CA, filed and 

recorded 5/27/93.  Walton County Circuit Court CASE NO. 93-0857-CA