Karen Horrell-DeLozier Shares Memories of Shell Point Beach in Wakulla County
As part of our series on "The Way We Were" at Shell Point Beach, Karen Horrell-DeLozier was kind enough to send us some of her old photographs from Paradise Village in Shell Point from the 1970s. Actually, Karen's submission was what got the whole project started; we thought it was a great idea and decided to expand on it.
Shell Point Beach is currently undergoing major changes; the biggest changes it has ever seen. Gone are any remnants of the old restaurant, motel and marina store. Developer George Heaton is currently changing the face of the area forever by building a new resort, which will include homes, a hotel, restaurant, and ship store. (Pictured: New construction along Walker Creek Drive)
We thought it would be fun to look back at old photos of Shell Point from the 60s and 70s, and we were right. I personally remember spending time with the Gilbert family (school mates Frances, Grace, Ted and John, along with their parents Ted and Frances) at their home in Paradise Village in the early 1970s, and also spending time at the home of my then boyfriend, Jay Westmark, in the late 70s. My friends and I spent many days laying out in the sun at Shell Point Beach in front of the old restaurant (back in the days of Hawaiin Tropic Golden Blend), and I can remember holding a school banquet or two at the restaurant as well. I think Genevieve Oaks was running it at that time.
Going even further back, I can remember my mom bringing us to swim at Shell Point Beach in the late 60s, when the only protection you had from the sun was a T-shirt. We lived in Tallahassee at the time, and I remember the long, sticky car ride back after a day spent in the salt and sun. Anyway, those were the days, when you didn't have to worry about bacteria in the water.
Karen sent me several emails containing her pictures, and shared some of her own memories of time spent at Shell Point. Interjections from me are bolded and in parenthesis. Says Karen:
"Thank you so much for your fantastic news letter! It is so nice to read news about the community where I spent the better part of my childhood. I have been gone from Shell Point for many, many years now, and I have never loved living anywhere as much as in Wakulla County! Both of my brothers and my parents feel the same way. Those were the best days of my life, and will live in my heart forever. We hope that we can all find our way back there one day, for more than just a day visit."
"I am writing to you to ask if there is any way you might be able to help me find anyone who may have pictures from the the old days at Shell Point, as well as from Shadeville Elementary School. While not a lot has really changed in Shell Point, comparatively, enough has changed that it really is not the same. Basically, I am putting out a plea for photos of Shell Point from the years 1970-1980, that might include the Marina, the Restaurant, the Far Canal, and the Far-Far canal (our community nick-names for the two canals behind Paradise Village before they were developed), and perhaps the little island right outside of Paradise Village that is no longer an island. We don't mind who is in them, we just want to relive some of the past if we can. We have several of our own photos we are willing to share with anyone who would like to see them..." (Pictured: Karen Horrell on her family boat)
"I remember the festivals (that used to be held at Shell Point in the 70s). I think I still have a pair of earrings my mom let me buy at one of the booths! I think I remember your husband - did he live on a big boat behind the restaurant? (No, but I'm sure he wished he did!) Did he have an afro? (Yes!) I think I know who Cindy and Lindy are also (My husband Jay's sisters). I was 12 when we moved, so I might be mixing up some of the faces..."
"It wouldn't surprise me if you knew my parents - Tom and Daphne Horrell? My brothers are Alan and Phillip. Phillip might stand out in people's memories because being so young, he would fall into the canals on a pretty regular basis, so my parents made him wear a life jacket everytime he left the house. It was really funny..."
"It's hard to believe so much time has passed! Did you ever attend any of the fabulous fish fries in Paradise Village? My parents used to go grouper fishing just about every weekend, along with a host of their Village neighbors, and then everyone would come home all salt crusted and sunburned, clean the fish, take a quick shower and have a big shindig down at the pool. I remembered hating every minute of being out at sea. I was just a kid who wanted to swim in the pool all day with my friend, but now, oh how I cherish those memories! I would give anything to get on a boat and relive a few of those moments! I am hoping that a few pictures of those days, including the fish fries, are floating around out there..." (Pictured: Marilyn and Gene Carpenter at Village Fish Fry in '74)
"Do you remember Charles Clemens dogs, Jesse and Mullet? Gosh, if I could get a picture of them, that would be also great!"
"I remember the Gilberts! Gracie used to babysit us! I think we made her cry once, and she never babysat us again. If you're still in touch with her, tell her I'm sorry! I remember all the kids meeting for football games in their big yard. We actually lived about half way down that street. Dana and Susie Berelsman were my best little buddies back then. They used to fight over me, hehehe. Age-wise, I was right in between them, and as you know, not many kids lived full-time at Shell Point, so there weren't a whole lot of kids to hang around with. And, oh yes, Scott and Stevie Wells! They were the pesky step brothers who used to annoy us! How funny! My parents still talk to Jerry and Deedee from time to time, and Susie stayed in touch with my brother, Alan, for several years. She even came to his wedding 10 or so years ago..." (Pictured: Jerry Wells)
"We were also friends with Tammy and Robby Alexander. We were so saddened and shocked to hear the tragic news about Robby's car accident. It's so hard to imagine. I hope his family is doing ok..."
"I asked my mom about the people who lived on the boat behind the restaurant - I think she said their last name was Gallatin?"
"My brother remembers Cindy (Westmark) because we used to order Shirley Temples (at the Shell Point Restaurant), and she used to tease us about being future alcoholics. I just remember loving the fried chicken and the rocking chairs out front..."
"Do you remember Andy from the Marina? I wonder how he is, or if he is still living. We used to live for allowance day and we'd take our big cash cow of .50 cents straight to the Marina to buy candy. Andy was such a sweet angel for putting up with us and being so nice when we all converged on him at the same time..."
"I picked up mom's photo album yesterday, so I'll start scanning the photos later this afternoon. I'm sending the one picture I already had in my computer. My brothers never combed their hair back then. My mom is totally embarassed by this picture, but it's one of my favorites. The puppies were born to our German Shepard named Shannon. Jesse, Mr. Clemens's German Shepard was the father of the pups, purely by accident, of course. If I had to guess a date, I would say this was around 1974..." (Infamous picture at left!)
"Notice the absence of docks along the canal sea walls. I think there is a dock for every lot now. There were still several empty lots while we lived there, too. I think my parents paid $8,000 for their lot and the mobile home and sold for $15,000 in 1977. Most recently, I couldn't find anything in there for under $295,000. Crazy isn't it? I included a photo of our family car - the Gran Torino Sport - I thought maybe you or your husband might recognize it..."
Karen Horrell-DeLozier now lives in Jacksonville, Florida. Thanks for some great memories Karen! I hope others will follow your lead and send us some of their photos and memories, as well. If you do have any photos/memories you would like to share of Shell Point, "The Way We Were", please send them directly to me at
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We are mainly looking for those from the 60's and 70's.
This article originally published on June 7, 2007.
Local News 
Shell Point Beach is currently undergoing major changes; the biggest changes it has ever seen. Gone are any remnants of the old restaurant, motel and marina store. Developer George Heaton is currently changing the face of the area forever by building a new resort, which will include homes, a hotel, restaurant, and ship store. 
"I am writing to you to ask if there is any way you might be able to help me find anyone who may have pictures from the the old days at Shell Point, as well as from Shadeville Elementary School. While not a lot has really changed in Shell Point, comparatively, enough has changed that it really is not the same. Basically, I am putting out a plea for photos of Shell Point from the years 1970-1980, that might include the Marina, the Restaurant, the Far Canal, and the Far-Far canal (our community nick-names for the two canals behind Paradise Village before they were developed), and perhaps the little island right outside of Paradise Village that is no longer an island. We don't mind who is in them, we just want to relive some of the past if we can. We have several of our own photos we are willing to share with anyone who would like to see them..." 
"It's hard to believe so much time has passed! Did you ever attend any of the fabulous fish fries in Paradise Village? My parents used to go grouper fishing just about every weekend, along with a host of their Village neighbors, and then everyone would come home all salt crusted and sunburned, clean the fish, take a quick shower and have a big shindig down at the pool. I remembered hating every minute of being out at sea. I was just a kid who wanted to swim in the pool all day with my friend, but now, oh how I cherish those memories! I would give anything to get on a boat and relive a few of those moments! I am hoping that a few pictures of those days, including the fish fries, are floating around out there..." 
"I remember the Gilberts! Gracie used to babysit us! I think we made her cry once, and she never babysat us again. If you're still in touch with her, tell her I'm sorry! I remember all the kids meeting for football games in their big yard. We actually lived about half way down that street. Dana and Susie Berelsman were my best little buddies back then. They used to fight over me, hehehe. Age-wise, I was right in between them, and as you know, not many kids lived full-time at Shell Point, so there weren't a whole lot of kids to hang around with. And, oh yes, Scott and Stevie Wells! They were the pesky step brothers who used to annoy us! How funny! My parents still talk to Jerry and Deedee from time to time, and Susie stayed in touch with my brother, Alan, for several years. She even came to his wedding 10 or so years ago..." 
"I picked up mom's photo album yesterday, so I'll start scanning the photos later this afternoon. I'm sending the one picture I already had in my computer. My brothers never combed their hair back then. My mom is totally embarassed by this picture, but it's one of my favorites. The puppies were born to our German Shepard named Shannon. Jesse, Mr. Clemens's German Shepard was the father of the pups, purely by accident, of course. If I had to guess a date, I would say this was around 1974..." 
"Notice the absence of docks along the canal sea walls. I think there is a dock for every lot now. There were still several empty lots while we lived there, too. I think my parents paid $8,000 for their lot and the mobile home and sold for $15,000 in 1977. Most recently, I couldn't find anything in there for under $295,000. Crazy isn't it? I included a photo of our family car - the Gran Torino Sport - I thought maybe you or your husband might recognize it..."
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