‘LIKE AN ARCHAEOLOGIST': Local author Tony Mennillo digs up the past in new book

Local author and photographer Tony Mennillo has always been fascinated with history and takes readers on a journey into Destin’s folklore and history in his newest book, “Salty Memories… Along the Coastal Highway.”

“Folklore does evolve, but you know that only bits and pieces of it are true,” said Mennillo, the son of the late Arturo Mennillo and owner of Arturo Studios. “We wanted to come out with a book that was not only exciting, but shared new information.”

As you travel back in time, “Salty Memories” leads you through the journal of Mennillo’s grandfather, Capt. Reddin “Salty” Brunson, before delving into the rich and somewhat mysterious history of Destin’s early settlers, Native American Indians, Spaniards and the landing of Leonard Destin, as it rounds out with stories of “early visionaries” and mysteries and tragedies.

“Like a lot of natives, we’ve heard the stories and there were always gaps in it,” Mennillo told The Log during a recent interview.

The story of Leonard Destin is a prime example, as Mennillo says there have been as many as four different versions of his voyage to Destin from New London, including everything from Native American Indians and pirates to buried treasure.

After all of our research, “we were able to find out what really happened” to Leonard Destin on his way to Destin, Mennillo said.

While digging to find whatever facts they could, Mennillo said they ran into trouble because most of Destin’s early fishing village history has no written records.

“Hank (Klein) made trips all over the U.S. and down to the Keys to check on different stories,” Mennillo said of his friend who helped research and verify the historical accounts in “Salty Memories.” “There were a lot of dots we were trying to connect.”

“It was like being an archaeologist   …  like finding the whole bowl, instead of just pieces of the bowl,” he added.

But what they did find is “fascinating” and fills the pages of Mennillo’s third book, which benefits the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will go to help Mattie Kelly promote its mission as an art advocate of student educational outreach programs and cultural events in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Mennillo’s limited edition, hardbound book boats 176 pages full of historical findings and features more than 492 vintage photos. “Salty Memories… Along the Coastal Highway” costs $55 and is available at Bayou Books in Niceville, Beau Esprit Custom Framing, Destin Library, Kitchenique, Sugar Beach Interiors, U.S. Gold Gymnastics and Youtopia.

For a complete listing of sellers, see www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org.

Telling the history of not only Destin, but also his family and the characters that shaped our past is something Mennillo relishes. He told The Log that history is something that should never be forgotten.

“How cool is it to have a father who recorded history and a grandfather who lived it?” Mennillo said.