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Valparaiso Inn
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| Location: | 331 Bayshore Drive, Valparaiso, Florida |
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| Built: | 1924 |
| Architect: | Walker D. Willis |
| Architectural style: | Late 19th And 20th Century Revival |
| Governing body: | Private |
| NRHP Reference#: | 78000954 [1] |
| Added to NRHP: | 1981 |
The Valpariso Inn was built in 1924 on the shores of Boggy Bayou in Valparaiso, Florida, by developer James E. Plew. The three-story Spanish stucco structure was patterned after Chicago's famous Edgewater Beach Hotel. It had four wings angled to catch the breeze and provide a panoramic view of the bayou and Choctawhatchee Bay. It offered 56 guests rooms.[2]
In June 1941, the Officers Club of Eglin Field made arrangements to take over the Valparaiso Inn, Valparaiso, Florida, as the "O Club".[3]
Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle and many of the "Tokyo Raiders" were housed at the Inn while they trained at Eglin Field in March 1942.[2]
The Inn was sold by the Plew family in 1950. It continued to operate as hotel until 1957 when it was converted into an apartment complex.[2]
On March 2, 1977, a fire severely damaged the Inn and it remained vacant until fire completely destroyed it on October 25, 1980.[4]