DeFuniak Springs is located in Walton County northeast of Pensacola between Crestview and Bonifay along Interstate 10 near the Alabama state line. DeFuniak Springs is the county seat of Walton County.
Almost 120 years ago, a surveying party comprised of Colonel W. D. Chipley, Major W. J. VanKirk and W. T. Wright came to a tired halt near a round lake in the heart of a virgin forest. They explored and decided to build a town here know today as DeFuniak Springs.