beachLIFE 2020 Issue 14 | Page 16

I N L E T B E AC H : 1920 (McCaskill Company) timeline G R AY TO N B E AC H : 1885 (Charles T. Gray) D U N E A L L E N : 1946 S E A H I G H L A N D ( “ O L D S E AG R OV E ” ) : 1948 (Dothan St., Pender Family) B LU E MO U N TA I N B E AC H : 1948 S E AG R OV E V I L L AG E M A R K E T: 1949 (oldest business on 30A) S E A S I D E : 1981 (Robert Davis) R O S E M A RY B E AC H : 1995 (Patrick Bienvenue) S E AC R E ST: 1996 WAT E R C O LO R : 2000 (St. Joe) WAT E R S O U N D : 2002 (St. Joe) A LY S B E AC H : Early 2000s (Marieanne Khory Vogt and Erik Vogt) He then established a homestead of funky little beach shacks (also known as “wash-aways”) tucked behind the native oak trees. Grayton’s pristine beaches were difficult to access for lack of a passable road through the surrounding forest. For years there were more dogs than people—at least until the 1980s when tourism here finally began to boom. Today, many think of Grayton Beach as the soul of 30A, as it’s preserved by the residents who vow to keep Grayton great. WATERCOLOR Two miles east of Grayton lies a beach resort nestled between Western Lake, Seaside and the beach. WaterColor was developed in the early 2000s by the St. Joe Company as a planned resort community reminiscent of the mythical town of Mayberry. Homes feature expansive porches and easy access to a vast network of footpaths and nature trails. WaterColor is a true resort community, offering its newly renovated Beach Club, fitness and tennis facilities, as well as the Boathouse which has kayak and paddleboard rentals for afternoon excursions on the protected waters of Western Lake.  WaterColor also features a number of award-winning neighborhood pools and parks—all of which are within walking or biking distance. Seaside, of course, is right next door. But it’s the easy-going atmosphere that makes Watercolor so loved by so many. SEASIDE The iconic 30A community was conceived by Robert and Daryl Davis with the help of architects Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. Founded in 1981, Seaside was a forerunner in the embryonic New Urbanism movement which sought to address the phenomenon of sprawl that has plagued American towns and cities in recent decades. Seaside features a neighborhood school, a post office, playgrounds, a chapel and charging ports for electric cars. An outdoor amphitheater serves as the town’s centerpiece, while a string of Airstream trailers offers light bites. The highlight, however, may be Modica Market with its deli and stunningly good wine and beer by the glass.