The development of the tourist industry was made possible by the post World War II prosperity and the continued growth of Eglin AFB. Eglin Air Force Base is the County's preeminent industry as the free world's largest U.S. air base, and its history is connected to Valparaiso, founded by Chicago promoter Frank Perrine in 1919.

In 1922, James Plew purchased Mr. Perrine's development company's assets. Mr. Plew was a versatile individual, having worked his way through business and medical college simultaneously in 1885. He became an ardent admirer of aviation and owned the first airplane in Chicago before 1910. He built the Valparaiso Inn as a vacation spot for his wealthy Chicago friends. Pilots from Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field in Alabama were frequent guests.