Esto, Florida
Located in northeastern Holmes, Esto got its start in 1901 when two representatives of the L&N Railroad picked the site as a location for a new station.
History
Esto, which is said to be of Spanish derivation. The name means “this is it” or “this is the place.”
As the legend goes, deep in the swamps of Esto is the home of a demon-possessed, red-eyed alligator monster that made his way down from Alabama more than 100 years ago. Known as the “Loch Ness Monster” of Northwest Florida, Two-Toe Tom gained his name when he caught one foot in a monstrous steel bear trap and escaped with only two toes. The monster is said to inhabit nearby Sand Hammock Lake at the end Wiggler Lane, as well as other lakes and swamps in the vicinity.
State Road 2 follows the approximate route of the historic Pensacola – St. Augustine Road. This narrow horse path was the first major “superhighway” connecting the old East Florida capital of St. Augustine with the West Florida capital of Pensacola.
Esto is rich in history, but also in Lottery sales. The small town is ranked in the Top Ten of the “winningest” locations.