Yes, there is a dwarf gaillardia named "Goblin". I can't confirm that the dwarf is what you found at Fort Walton Beach, however. For many years, I grew "Goblin" in my Zone 6 garden. I only planted it once; it reappeared in following years from a combo of the original plant regenerating as well as self-seeded new plants. The self-seeding was not so prolific as to be a problem.

It's such a cheerful carefree plant. Earlier this year I found a packet of "Goblin" seeds at a local store and now have young plants ready to be placed in their permanent home in my Florida garden. As you probably surmised from finding it at the beach, it likes lots of sun and is drought tolerant.

The attached link provides a picture as well as growing info.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gaillardia