An old black and white image, complete with a mischievously smiling ghost,
announces Spook Hill to drivers with the following improbable legend.
Courtesy Florida Memory
Many years ago an Indian village on Lake Wales was plagued by raids of a huge gator. The chief, a great warrior, killed the gator in a battle that created a small lake. This chief was buried on the north side. Pioneer mail riders first discovered their horses laboring down the hill, thus naming it “Spook Hill.” When the road was paved, cars coasted up hill. Is this the gator seeking revenge, or is the chief still trying to protect his land??? Stop on white line, take your car out of gear, and let it roll back.
Lake Wales
Located in Lake Wales, Florida, a town of around 17,000 in Polk County, Spook
Hill has been confusing, astounding, and frightening visitors since at least the
1950s.
Lake Wales itself is unique in that it is built upon what is now called the Lake
Wales Ridge. This 150-mile long ridge contains some of the highest geological
spots in Florida. During the period when Florida was submerged underneath the
Atlantic Ocean, this ridge often rose above the waters as a series of islands.
In the early years of settlement, the area remained largely uninhabited. This was
due to the difficulties in reaching the area. The elevation, along with a lack of
roads and railroads, allowed the area to remain immune to the development
occurring along the coastlines. The area was prime for human habitation however.
Wide-open lands were perfect for agriculture and cattle while abundant forests
provided timber and turpentine.
In 1879, a surveyor by the name of Sidney Irving Wailes, named a small lake in
the area Lake Wailes. By 1911, the economic potential of the land was better
understood and the Lake Wales Land Company was founded by a group of four
businessmen.
Changing the name from Wailes to Wales, these men set out to establish a lakeside
community that would develop from exploiting the lands. By 1912, the turpentine
industry was rapidly growing and the developers worked to create infrastructure
around the fledgling operation. A school and the Hotel Wales were soon
constructed helping attract visitors and permanent residents.
In less than a decade, the Lake Wales area was unrecognizable to those who might
have seen the area at the turn of the century. The citrus industry exploded,
providing jobs for many and wealth to a few. Attractions such as Bok Tower
Gardens helped attract tourists.
Bok Tower Courtesy Florida Memory
Bok Tower Gardens is named for Pulitzer Prize winning author Edward William
Bok. Bok was editor of Ladies Home Journal and was a leader in promoting social
causes while also championing the Arts and Crafts style of architecture. Opened to
much fanfare in 1929 by Calvin Coolidge, Bok Gardens proved popular with the Tin Can Tourists of the day.
Today, the property located at the highest elevation in Florida, encompasses more
than 130 acres. The primary attractions are the Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.
designed gardens and the singing tower, designed by architect Milton B. Medary.
Admission to the park is less than $20 for those ages 5+. Admission to El Retiro, a
twenty room home, 1930s Mediterranean style mansion that was acquired by the
Bok Tower Foundation in 1970 requires a separate admission fee. The Gardens
were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and El Retiro was
added in 1985.
Want to learn more about the beautiful area of Lake Wales? Take a look at this book from the Arcadia Publishing, Images of American series.
Pirate Legend of Spook Hill
Barney’s Tavern, the creator of a Spook Hill legend. Courtesy Florida Memory
As might be expected, there are numerous legends regarding Spook Hill in addition to the gator fighting Indian chief. Many years ago, the local restaurant Barney’s Tavern published a leaflet claiming to tell the “real” story of Spook Hill. Barney’s claimed that pirate with the clever name of Captain Gimme Sarsparilla retired to Lake Wales. Pirate Teniente Vanilla joined the Captain upon his retirement.
The legend continues that when Vanilla died he was buried at the foot of Spook Hill and Sarsparilla ended up at the bottom of Lake Wales. Centuries later, a man parked his car at the bottom of Spook Hill so that he could go fishing. He just happened to park on the unmarked grave of Vanilla. The eternal slumber of Vanilla now disturbed, he called out to Sarsparillia for help who rose from his underwater grave and pushed the car off Vanilla’s resting spot. If you stop at the bottom of Spook Hill, the same will happen to your car.
The real reason behind Spook Hill
The Legend of Spook Hill Image courtesy Florida Memory
The true explanation is much less fanciful and quite a bit more boring. According to the National Register of Historic Places application for Spook Hill, this is what is known as a gravity hill optical illusion. Here, the southern end of the site is at the start of a shallow upwards incline along North Wales Drive. The incline becomes steeper moving toward Burns Avenue. The transition point from shallow to steep is marked as the starting point. Here, while facing north on the one-way street, a driver is to put their car into neutral, and slowly roll backwards downhill while they feel as if they are being pulled uphill. The illusion is caused by the geography of the area. The view of the horizon is blocked by the higher hill.
Is Spook Hill Unique?
Lake Wales is not unique in having a Spook Hill. Other similar locations have been
documented such as Confusion Hill in Pennsylvania; Gravity Hill in Maryland; and
Mystery Spot in Michigan.
If you have ever visited Spook Hill, please leave a comment and let me know what you thought.
Want a Spook Hill postcard of your own? Check out these options on ebay!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
Jack Kerouac House
1418 Clouser Avenue
Orlando, FL 32804
By Kerouac_by_Palumbo.jpg: Tom Palumbo from New York, NY, USA derivative work: Sir Richardson at en.wikipedia – This file was derived from: Kerouac by Palumbo.jpg:, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85963062
When most people think of the Beat Generation, certain visuals often come to mind.
Unemployed young adults, sitting around a coffee house in San Francisco, smoking away, rambling on self-importantly about books most of main stream America has never read seems to often fit the description. These descriptors are really about beatniks and not a literary movement. For those a bit more acquainted with the Beat Generation, certain names will come immediately to mind; Kerouac, Burroughs, Kesey, Ginsberg, and maybe even Ferlinghetti. Literature titles such asHowl,Naked Lunch, and On the Road are probably the most famous. Despite the passage of nearly seventy years, these books and others of the movement are still in print and widely read today.
In July of 1957, only months before the groundbreaking On the Road would receive tremendous praise in the New York Times, the then 32-year-old Kerouac rented a small apartment for him and his mother. The home did not have air conditioning and the Florida heat was almost too much for Kerouac, who took to writing at night. Today, visitors to the city of Orlando have the opportunity to see the home where Jack Kerouac and his mother lived during 1957, the year that catapulted him to fame.
On the Road by Jack Kerouac The praise was not to be long, nor universal. The beatnik movement seemed to take over. Musician David Amram believes that the beatnik movement was a manufactured one, arguing Beat writers such as Kerouac were not the goateed, beret wearing, pretentious types. Rather, he described themselves as hicks, not wanting to draw attention to themselves. Author Bob Kealing, a noted Kerouac expert, has put forth that Kerouac himself claimed that those of the Beat Generation “were searching for spiritual truth and meaning beyond the confines of post-World War II life.” This search is what confounded and worried critics.
Meanwhile, in his small Orlando apartment, Kerouac continued typing away on his follow-up, to
be titled Dharma Bums. In a rapid fire twelve days of output, Kerouac finished the novel on
December 7, 1957, Pearl Harbor Day. Kealing reminds us that to Kerouac, the term “dharma”
meant truth.
Every year since its inception, the Orlando Ghost Tour has grown exponentially, with more and more people coming to enjoy their spooky stories and all-around demonic fun.
In April 1958, Jack and his mother packed into a station wagon owned by Robert Frank and
made off for Long Island, New York. Dharma Bums was published in October of that year.
Fame was not something Kerouac was ever comfortable with, nor does it seem that he sought it
out. Kerouac was to become too familiar with the bottom of a bottle, and on October 21, 1969, at
age 47, he died a painful death from cirrhosis of the liver. His remains were transported to
Lowell, Massachusetts, where he was buried at Edson Cemetery.
Jack Kerouac House, Orlando, FL
Listed today on the National Register of Historic Places, the future of the Orlando, Florida Kerouac House was not always assured. Once it was determined that this location was the residence of Kerouac during a critical time in the author’s life, efforts began in order to purchase and rehabilitate the house. Led by Kealing, former bookstore owners Marty and Jan Cummins, and others, they founded the not-for-profit Kerouac Project of Orlando. With the generous financial support of Jeffrey Cole and ColeNational, they were able to purchase and rehabilitate the house. Today, the Project provides several writer in residence opportunities each year, allowing the visiting author to live and work in the home made famous by Jack Kerouac.
The home is not open to the public. Those wishing to see the house may drive by and briefly stop to take it in. There is not public parking available and this is a residential area so please be mindful of those who live in the area and if you are taking photos be on the watch for traffic. A state of Florida historical marker is on-site. The text reads
State of Florida Historic Marker–Jack Kerouac House Orlando, FL
Writer Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) lived and wrote in this 1920s tin-roofed house between 1957 and 1958. It was here that Kerouac received instant fame for publication of his bestselling book, On the Road, which brought him acclaim and controversy as the voice of The Beat Generation. The Beats followed a philosophy of self-reliance and self-expression. The unedited spontaneity of Kerouac’s prose shocked traditional writers, yet it brought attention to a legion of emerging poets, musicians, and artists who lived outside the conventions of post-World War II America. Photographs show Kerouac in the house’s back bedroom, with piles of pocket notebooks in which he scrawled thoughts and dreams while traveling. In April 1958, following completion of his follow-up novel, The Dharma Bums, and a play, the Beat Generation, Kerouac moved to Northport, New York. He died in 1969 at the age of 47. In 1996, author Bob Kealing discovered the house’s significance while researching an article to mark Kerouac’s 75th birthday. In 1998, The Kerouac Project established a retreat here for aspiring writers in tribute to him. In 2013, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
To learn more about Jack Kerouac and his time in Florida, readers should find a copy of Bob Kealing’s excellent book, Kerouac in Florida.
Kealing, Bob. “The Road to Kerouac: He Came to Orlando in 1957.” Orlrlando Sentinel. March 9,
1997.
National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Jack Kerouac
House. 2013.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
Desolate Angel
Women of the Beat Generation
The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
Allen Ginsberg, HowlNaked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
First off, my apologies. My posts have been erratic at best but they should become more regular soon. Life has been pretty hectic but a couple of things are calming down or going away. I will have more time to devote to this page.
First off, for those who know me, you will know I have been attending graduate school. I am happy to announce that I have completed my degree and shortly will have my diploma for my M.A. in History with a specialization in Public History. Thank you to my professors and fellow students at American Public University System for helping me make this a reality. There was no way I was going to be able to do this at a traditional school with my work and personal demands. The closest institution offering such a degree is an hour and a half drive each way, if not longer due to traffic. Working a full time job and trying to handle that was never going to work. Don’t be afraid to try one of the major online universities.
Second, I have been hard at work on a manuscript for Arcadia Publishing. I am happy to report that I am in the home stretch on this book and will soon be submitting the manuscript for review. The working title is Hidden History of Civil War Florida. I am working on image captions currently. After that, another read through to find what are no doubt even more errors or areas that need rework. My goal is to submit on Valentine’s Day. We’ll see. This will be my fifth book with Arcadia and I hope it to be my best and most widely received. I will be sure to keep everybody informed and let you see the cover once designed.
So, let me know, what would you like for me to write about in this blog? Are there history or travel subjects you think would be interesting. Florida based is preferred at this point but there’s no real need to limit things. Book reviews? Restaurant or travel reviews? Public art displays? Museum exhibits?
Francis “Mac” McBride mural located on Rich Avenue near Woodland Boulevard
If you are standing at the corner of Woodland Boulevard and Rich Avenue next to the former Dick & Janes CoffeeShop be sure to take a look on the side of the building. Here, near the creepy looking stairs leading down to an empty basement storefront, you will see a mural in honor of Commander Francis “Mac” McBride.
Born in Rockledge, Florida, the McBride family had a legacy of police work. McBride’s father and brother were also in law enforcement. His uncle served in the United States Air Force as a military police officer.
The young McBride moved to Volusia County, living in Daytona Beach and Barberville, before moving to DeLand. In DeLand, he began work at Sherwood Medical Industries, before being hired as a rookie officer by the DeLand Police Department in 1975.
The then 77-year-old McBride retired in 2020 after 45 years on the police force. During this time he made many friends and won the respect and admiration of downtown business owners for his community policing style. He is often remembered for his “Night Eyes” program. As a part of this program he would leave notes for business owners assuring them he had checked on their business during his shift.
Former DeLand Police Chief, Bill Ridgway said of McBride, “I got to see how he built relationships and those connections with the community, he was ahead of the curve.”
In seeing his mural Officer McBride stated, “I hope I did the right thing. Everything that I’ve done now goes back to that mural. It’s an honor to know that my legacy is that I cared about the people and people cared about me.”
McBride was honored during his last shift with a retirement party held at the Sanborn Activity Center. After his retirement the beloved officer moved to Alabama to be closer to family.
Detail of Mac McBride muralOath of Honor as seen in the Francis “Mac” McBride mural.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
If you are interested in memorials to law enforcement officers, please take a look at my post about the memorial to officer Elmer Michaelof the DeLand police force. This monument is located just a short distance from this mural.
Don’t Tread on Me t-shirt featuring the famous coiled rattlesnake from the Gadsden Flag. All sizes available. Pre-shrunk 100% cotton. Warm water wash and tumble dry. Do not iron or dry clean. Let Flagshirt be your go-to online shop for patriotic apparel.
For me, one of the joys of walking through a cemetery is that you never know what you will find. It may
be an interesting inscription, the burial of the famous or infamous, or in the case of Roy L. Cook, well,
you will see shortly. I have never seen anything like this before. The headstone of Roy L. Cook, DeLand, FL is one you will never forget once you see it.
For those easily offended, please consider this your warning. Text and images below may be offensive to readers. This post is not an endorsement of any beliefs that may have been held or espoused by Mr. Cook but rather putting forth historical fact.
In May 1931, Roy Lewis Cook and his wife, Louise B. had been visiting Atlanta, Georgia. On May 10, they
were on the trip home when Roy began complaining of stomach pains. They stopped in Vienna, Georgia
at the office of Dr. F. E. Williams. Within an hour, Cook was dead from what his death certificate listed as
“probably cardiac failure. Possibly angina pectoris. Was pulseless and in collapse when I saw him and
remained so until death 20 or 30 minutes later.”
Only 43 years old, Cook left behind a widow, Louise, and children Gertrude and Roy, Jr., who went by
the name Louis. According to local newspaper reports, the Cook family were not mourning alone as
estimates between 1,000 and 2,500 people were reported at his funeral in the small town of DeLand,
Florida.
Roy L. Cook was born in DeLeon Springs, FL, October 2, 1888 to Lewis P. and Alice Cook. His father was a
farmer and it appears that the family was highly mobile. In the 1900 census, the Cook family, including
twelve-year-old Roy, were living in Wittich Township, Arkansas.
By 1910, Roy and his young bride Louise were living in Florida with extended family. Roy was working as an automobile mechanic. In 1917 the Cooks were living in Orlando, FL. where Roy worked for himself in the firm of Cook Automobile, Co. His World War I draft registration card states he was tall and slender, with gray eyes and black hair.
The young Cook appears to have been an enterprising person because by 1920, he and Louise, along
with their two children, were living in DeLand and Roy, Sr. owned his own garage. Still living in DeLand in
1930, Roy, Sr. was a partner in the automobile dealership Cook and Rowland. Cook and Rowland was
located at 133-135 S. Woodland Avene. The business was an authorized sales and service dealer for Buick
automobiles. They were also a Vesta Battery Service Station.
Cook was still young, appears to have been financially successful, and it turns out he was a highly
influential individual as we will see.
News of the elder Cook’s demise quickly reached DeLand. His partner L. L. Rowland and an employee
only listed as Mr. Miller left immediately for Georgia to help the stricken widow. They helped arrange
for transport of the body back to DeLand where funeral director J. M. Stith was in charge of
arrangements. Stith worked in the employ of the Griffith-Stith Funeral Parlor, that at one time was
located in the building known as the Dutton House.
The funeral services were held on May 13, 1931 at First Baptist Church with Dr. I. E. Phillips of
Jacksonville in charge. Reports state the church was filled to overflowing with hundreds standing
outside. The same report estimated more than 500 cars from across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama were
at the church grounds. Newspaper reports posted a long listing of pallbearers and honorary pallbearers
including local judges.
Roy L. Cook headstone depicting his membership as a Mason.
You may be asking why more than 1,000 people would attend a small town funeral for a small town car dealer. The town had a population only slightly higher than 5,000 in 1930. Yes, it was true that Cook was a member of the DeLand Masonic Lodge, was a member of the Royal Arch Masons, and the Order of the Eastern Star. This would hardly account for this type turn out however. Cook had a much more sinister side in his life and his funeral brought to the public what many might not have openly known.
At the time of his death, Roy L. Cook, Sr. served as Grand Titan of the Ku Klux Klan of the State of Florida. It appears that local reporting had is title wrong, calling him the Grand Titian while he most likely served as Grand Titan.
Estimates place between 100 and 200 robed and hooded clansmen lining the Oakdale Cemetery driveway. They were
said to have held “drooping American flags, (and) bowed their heads as the funeral car passed.” At the
burial site, “the degree team of the Klan from Jacksonville conducted an honorary burial order.”
Clansmen from across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama attended the ceremony.
At the close of the ceremony, members from the Order of the Eastern Star placed more than 300 floral
assortments on the closed grave.
In the days immediately after the funeral Cook’s wife Louise was named executor of his estate and also
named beneficiary of all real and personal property.
Roy L. Cook marker depicting his KKK membership
In May 1932, newspaper advertisements placed by the E.C. Tomoka Klan No. 17 Realm of Florida were appearing in the DeLand Sun News under the headline, “Klansmen Take Notice.” The announcement went on further to let the public know that a new monument was to be placed on the grave of Roy L. Cook, on Sunday, May 15 at 3:30 p.m. George P. Bryan, a monument dealer based in Daytona Beach, erected the monument.
The memory of Roy L. Cook continued to be strong in the years after his death. Members of the Volusia Chapter 186 of the Order of the Eastern Star were reported by the press to hold annual memorial services for former members. After the November 1933 service, members laid flowers on Cook’s grave.
This post is not a tribute to Roy L. Cook. While he is long gone, his memory and most likely his actions cannot be forgotten. We must fight against actions by hate groups such as the KKK. These groups have terrorized our country for too long and we must not allow them to keep doing so. The marker to Roy L. Cook, now in place for nearly 90 years, is a reminder that there is more work to be done, more justice to be fought for, more equality to be won.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post about the headstone of Roy L. Cook located in DeLand, FL. I admit this is the only time I have seen such markings on a headstone. Have you seen something similar? Please share your experiences in the comments section for others to read and learn from.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
Sources
Daytona Beach News Journal
DeLand, FL City Directories
DeLand Sun News
Georgia Certificate of Death
U.S. Census Bureau records
World War I Draft Registration Cards
Those of us on the space coast of Florida are back to being spoiled with regular
launches from Cape Canaveral. This is truly a golden era for space exploration. It
was not always this way of course.
The Bumper 8 takes flight on July 24, 1950 Image courtesy NASA
The Bumper 8, launched on July 24, 1950 is the first launch to have occurred at Cape Canaveral. Bumper 8 actually launched before Bumper 7. Number 7 was scrubbed on July 19 due to a stuck fuel valve. Bumper 7 was launched successfully on July 29, becoming the second launch from the Cape.
The first six launches of Bumper rockets took place at the White Sands Missile Range located in New Mexico.
The first Bumper launch occurred on May 13, 1948 with the rocket reaching an altitude of 80 miles and attaining a maximum speed of 2,740 miles per hour. Bumper 5 became the first man-made object to reach space.
Bumper rockets were a melding of German V-2 ballistic missiles and the U.S.
Army Wac Corporal research rocket. The Wac Corporal liquid fueled stage was
mounted on the nose of the V-2.
The Bumper received its name because of the “bump” provided by the large V-2
first stage, a 55,000 pound thrust at liftoff. After the V-2 shut down the Wac
Corporal second stage ignited for the final 45 seconds of the flight.
The Bumper 8 was only 62 feet in length with a rocket diameter of less than six
feet. The finspan was twelve feet. The rocket flew for less than two minutes but
was considered a tremendous success. The multi-stage rockets we are familiar with
today owe their existence to the Bumper program.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
See the Space Shuttle Atlantis when you book your Kennedy Space Center tickets. Click the photo or THIS LINK for information and to make your reservation.
So, you’re on vacation with the kids and looking for something to eat. You are not looking for anything
too fancy as you have spent the full day in the sun on the beach. The kids are hungry and ready to eat.
What is the go to meal? PIZZA. New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater have numerous delicious options for
you to choose from. Whether you want sit down, pick up, or delivery we’ve got you covered.
In alphabetical order are places I have eaten and can provide insight on. Below that are listings of other
local pizza restaurants. Try them before calling one of the boring delivery chains you can have in every town in America. Support your local small business, where the dollar stays in the area.
Pizza, sandwiches, and pasta are all available on the menu. The garlic knots are a must have. Seriously,
they are the best I have had locally. Feeling brave, ask for extra garlic but be sure to have napkins ready.
This family owned restaurant opened in 2004 but the owners have a much longer record of
accomplishment in the restaurant business. Available for dine in, pick up, or delivery through Uber Eats.
There may be a wait for seating on Friday and Saturday nights. Budget friendly. Child friendly.
Baci has added an amazing shop next to their restaurant that beer and wine connoisseurs will not want to miss out on. Take a walk across the parking lot toBaci Beer & Wine Cellar.A review of their website shows some incredible options at solid prices. It appears they will seek out wines for you if they don’t have them. This looks like a great option to avoid the chain stores.
ORIGINAL POST
Wood fired pizza, sandwiches, and pasta are all on the menu. The last time we visited, there appeared to be a strong wine selection. And let’s be honest, that is important when eating Italian food.
Pizza, salads, ciabattas, and pasta are on the menu. For me, the food has been hit and miss. When they are on it is delicious and as good as you will find in the area. I have had pizza here though that was inedible due to excessive garlic. I have no qualms recommending them however. Try the Pizza Margherita or create your own.
Dine in is recommended for adults only. A wait for dine in is common. Pick up is available. A little more
expensive than many but this is not your average pizza place. This becomes more of an experience than
a quick meal.
We have again stopped frequenting Fillipo’s due to inconsistent quality, dramatically increased prices, spotty delivery, and an unfortunate visit report from the Department of Health as reported in the Daytona Beach News Journal.
UPDATE 5/2023
We have been back to Fillipo’s a couple of times recently and I am please to say the quality has gone way up. The pizzas have been very good. Prices are still considerably higher than in the past but the pizza quality has been good.
UPDATE 6/12/2022
Unfortunately, it appears that Fillipo has either sold his restaurant or is no longer working there on a regular basis. The quality and consistency of pizza has declined with his departure. To further complicate issues, prices have risen quite a bit and even the specials aren’t quite so special. Delivery times are also spottier, taking much longer than in the past. Usually, the pizza is still good, just not quite as good. We are investigating other local options to see what else is out there. Unfortunately, where we live delivery options are a bit more limited.
ORIGINAL POST
My recommendation for the best take out or delivery pizza on a consistent basis. Pizza, subs, and pastas
are all on the menu. Be sure to check the specials as there are some good deals here especially if you
have a number of people to feed. Delicious New York style pizza, the cheese steak Italian sub is a go-to (we
order without the onions and ask for extra sauce).
Delivery and pick up. Be advised, they can be backed up with orders quickly so if you need dinner at a
specific time plan accordingly. Cash is preferred; see the website for details. Delivery is free within a
limited distance. Ask for details. Price friendly and the food is child friendly.
396 Flagler Avenue New Smyrna Beach—Beachside north
UPDATE 10/13/2022
Flagler Avenue Pizza Company
We were finally able to visit Flagler Avenue Pizza Company. It’s not much to look at in all honesty, but what it lacks in decor and charm are more than made up for in taste. We kept our order pretty simple, a medium pepperoni pizza, an order of pizza fries, and a couple of bottled drinks. The total was around $25.
The New York style pizza came out first, piping hot with dripping cheese and plenty of pepperoni. The fries came out a couple minutes later. The red sauce is thin, not chunky. It had a good flavor but did not overpower the pie. The crust was tasty and a bit chewy. I mean that in a good way. The medium pizza is 14″ and is cut into six pieces. With the fries we had several pieces left to take home.
They have a full menu with pizza (including a large number of specialty pizzas), pasta, sandwiches, burgers, and salads.
They offer pick up, beach side delivery, and dine in. Flagler Avenue traffic and parking can be a bit difficult at times but based upon our visit, it’s worth the effort. Recommended.
UPDATE 11/7/2022
A second visit for pick up confirms, they offer really good pizza. We ordered a pizza and a cheese steak sub for pick up. Everything was perfect. The staff was friendly. The food was hot and delicious when we go it home. After two visits I can strongly recommend them.
SEVEN PIECE PIZZA MAKING KIT: Including 1* aluminum pizza peel, 1 * nonstick pizza pan, 1* pizza pans with holes,1* pizza rocker cutter and 1* Cotton oven mitts, 1* Pie Server and 1* baking brush. All those perfect tools and accessories to transfer pizzas, bread, pastries, cakes and other baked goods to and from the oven or BBQ grill.
808 E. 3rd Avenue New Smyrna Beach—Beachside south
MIkey’s Pizza on the south causeway in New Smyrna Beach
The building and parking lot don’t look like much but do not be dissuaded. The pizza more than makes up for the appearance. Our pizza was loaded with cheese and might could have used a bit more sauce but that’s not a big problem. The pizza was still quite tasty cold the next day. To me, that’s always a sign of a good pizza. The menu is a bit limited but they cover the basics. Prices are quite reasonable.
When you call, be sure to ask about their specials. Their sign advertises two large two topping pizzas for only $16.95. You can’t beat that price.
This restaurant is truly a family affair. In carrying on family recipes and traditions, the dough and sauce are homemade, and a special cheese blend is created to go on your pie. All meats are smoked in-house and only fresh toppings are used. Their slogan “Made with love from our family to yours” shines through in every order.
Dine in and carryout are available. I recommend carryout as the seating area is a bit small and gets full quickly. Everybody is always having a great time and it can get a bit loud so it’s not the best choice for a romantic meal. Kids are welcome but for me, this isn’t the best option for them. Prices are a bit higher here but the pizzas are worth it.
Pizzas, salads, subs, and pasta are all on the menu. I suggest starting with an order of meatballs in teriyaki sauce while your pizza is cooking.
Specialty pizzas have rock ‘n roll associated names; Simple Man, Dr. Feelgood, Whole Lotta Love, Ace of Spades, White Wedding; well you get the idea. The specialty pizzas are on the designer side so creating your own may be recommended. On the other hand, how about try the “Pizza Flight”; pick four specialty options and make a single large pizza.
Gluten free pizza is available in the personal size pie for those who need this option. You can still get all
the great specialty pies.
Wine and beer are available.
If you still have room, end the night with the Stairway to Heaven, a hot chocolate chip cookie served
with homemade vanilla ice cream. DELICIOUS!
Be sure to take a look at all things Flavortownby clicking the highlighted link. Here you will find Guy’s books, sauces, shirts, toys, novelties, and more. There’s something for everyone!
This restaurant appears to be closed! It has possibly been reopened as Perfecto Pizza NSB (see below).
ORIGINAL POST
The owners began their restaurant career in Orlando and patrons can now get hand tossed, New York
style pizza at this conveniently located beachside restaurant.
Dine in, take out, and delivery are all available. The restaurant is child friendly and prices are average.
Pizza, subs, and salads are on the menu.
Online reviews are pretty mixed and my experience was average at best. The pizza and service were nothing special and hardly worthy of a return visit. It is what I might expect at a beachside pizza place geared toward one time visitors. It has been a couple of years since I have been so it is possible things have improved.
MASTERING PIZZA: Pizza remains America’s favorite food, but one that many people hesitate to make at home. In Mastering Pizza, award-winning chef Marc Vetri tackles the topic with his trademark precision, making perfect pizza available to anyone.
This local culinary icon has been in New Smyrna Beach for more than thirty years. Pizza, pasta, subs, wings, salads and more are all on the menu. A children’s menu is available. Be sure to check the daily specials and consider the Monday and Wednesday 1/2 off plus $1 on large pizzas. It’s a great way to feed the family and save a few dollars. Dine in and take out are available.
The Greek Salad is just one of the things they are known for. This recipe can be produced vegetarian style for those who prefer that option.
While the pizzas are good, I often find myself going for the hot meatball grinder. For less than $10 you will leave full. If you want to go with pizza, I can recommend the bbq beef. Loaded with cheese, bbq sauce, sliced beef, and onions, this is a pleaser. There are plenty of specialty options or build your own. Prices are good for a family, the restaurant is child friendly, AND there is a Dairy Queen right across the street that I highly recommend.
1000 Wayne Avenue (located at the golf course) New Smyrna Beach
Born in Naples, Vittoria Tiano visited central Florida on vacation and that was all it took for him to decide
to take up residency here.
Open for lunch or dinner Tiano’s is a great option if you have just played a round of golf at the New
Smyrna Beach Golf Club. The cold beverage selection is good and you can get your lunch at the
separate bar area if you would like. Televisions with sports, mostly the golf channel are available in the bar. There is a good pizza slice and salad combo or try the chicken parmesan sandwich. Lunch prices are budget friendly.
Dinner portions are of course larger. The options are wider as well with pizza, pasta, and seafood all
available. The lasagna is a winner in my opinion. If you want pizza, there are specialty options or you can
make your own. Cauliflower crusts are available in the 10” size for those watching carbs.
For me, Tiano’s has a weird vibe. The food has always been good. Usually way above average. I guess it’s
the décor and the musical entertainment that I have issue with. It screams dated. On weekend nights,
they usually have live entertainment that when we have been consists of modified karaoke with an
older man on a Casio keyboard and some backing music belting out Barry Manilow and similar tunes. If you look around at the diners, you will understand the appeal.
My suggestion is to skip entertainment nights or order pick up. The food is worth the visit. I would not
visit with children as the ambience isn’t really meant for them. The prices are good and as I have said,
the food is good.
4198 S. Atlantic Avenue New Smyrna Beach—Beachside south
You are only a stranger at Touch of Italy once as Sal the owner will no doubt recognize you and probably
remember your favorite order. If you are beachside, this is a strong candidate for dinner. It is a bit of a
hike if you are on the mainland. Dine in and take out are available. Limited free delivery is available from
5p-9p.
Touch of Italy is open for lunch and dinner with the lunch menu being available until 4pm. The menu
offers plenty of seafood, traditional Italian fare, and delicious pizza. The chicken parmigiana is a personal
favorite. Give the square Sicilian pizza a try if you like deep dish.
This is a family restaurant and children are welcome. I am not sure I would bring kids there myself as it
can get a bit crowded. Good value pricing and you’ll leave full. One of my favorites if we feel like having dine in pizza.
634 E. 3rd Avenue (formerly home to Planet Pizza NSB)
I am unsure if this is really a new restaurant or just a rebranding of Planet Pizza NSB. The similarity of the name gives me pause to be honest. The website is completely generic and provides no insight into the local restaurant. I have to say this impression is not making me rush to order.
I hope this post has helped you to find the best pizza in New Smyrna Beach for your family. Do you know of a pizza restaurant that is not included or is there more information I should include? Please let me know and I will update the post. Please feel free to drop reviews in the comments. As long as the review appears to be honest and respectful (even if you didn’t like the food) I will let them show.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products. I did not receive complimentary food in return for any restaurant being listed in this post.
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The University Press of Florida has released their Fall 2021 catalog and there are some titles that history
enthusiasts should take note of. I have not posted all the interesting titles, allowing you to make
discoveries on your own. This cycle is heavy on archaeology. As always with academic press books, the
hardcover prices can be quite steep. Watch their website for promotions and check Amazon and others
for price discounts.
Showcasing over 450 unpublished and lesser-known images, this book traces the growth of the Space Shuttle from 1965 to 1982, from initial concept through its first four space flights. The photographs offer windows into designing the first reusable space vehicle as well as the construction and testing of the prototype shuttle Enterprise. They also show the factory assembly and delivery of the Space Shuttle Columbia, preparations at the major NASA field centers, and astronaut selection and training. Finally, the book devotes a chapter to each of the first four orbital missions, STS-1 through STS-4, providing an abundance of seldom-seen photos for each flight.
Excavated from a waterlogged archaeological site on the shores of subtropical Florida by legendary anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing in 1896, the Key Marco Cat has become a modern icon of heritage, history, and local identity. This book takes readers into the deep past of the artifact and the Native American society in which it was created.
This volume presents new data and interpretations from research at Florida’s Spanish missions, outposts established in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to strengthen the colonizing empire and convert Indigenous groups to Christianity. In these chapters, archaeologists, historians, and ethnomusicologists draw on the past thirty years of work at sites from St. Augustine to the panhandle.
Highlighting the long unacknowledged role of a group of pioneering professional women, The Public Health Nurses of Jim Crow Florida tells the story of healthcare workers who battled racism in a state where white supremacy formed the bedrock of society. They aimed to serve those people out of reach of modern medical care.
Queering the Redneck Riviera recovers the forgotten and erased history of gay men and lesbians in North Florida, a region often overlooked in the story of the LGBTQ experience in the United States. Jerry Watkins reveals both the challenges these men and women faced in the years following World War II and the essential role they played in making the Emerald Coast a major tourist destination.
Fort St. Joseph Revealed is the first synthesis of archaeological and documentary data on one of the most important French colonial outposts in the western Great Lakes region. Located in what is now Michigan, Fort St. Joseph was home to a flourishing fur trade society from the 1680s to 1781. Material evidence of the site—lost for centuries—was discovered in 1998 by volume editor Michael Nassaney and his colleagues, who summarize their extensive excavations at the fort and surrounding areas in these essays.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
The Medal of Honor has been accredited to Florida only 23 times. Image courtesy US Department of Defense
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for military valor in action. In over 150 years, the Medal has been awarded just over 3,500 times. When originally issued during the Civil War the Medal did not have the same level of stature that it does today. In fact, over 1,500 Medals were awarded during the Civil War alone. When one considers the millions of men and women who have worn military uniforms, it is easy to see the special actions it takes to receive this award.
The official name is the Medal of Honor. Because Congress created the award, it is sometimes mistakenly called the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, chartered by Congress and thus the name, has an explanation of this misnomer.
States receive accreditation for awards based upon the state where a soldier enlists. The state of Florida is accredited with twenty-three Medal of Honor recipients. As I write brief biographies of these men, they will show as linked below allowing you read about them and the actions that garnered them such acclaim.
Charles Albert Varnum Captain Army Indian Wars
Clarence M. Condon Sergeant Army Philippine War
Francis Edward Ormsbee, Jr. Chief Machinist’s Mate Navy World War I
William Merrill Corry, Jr. Lieutenant Commander Navy World War I
Alexander R. Nininger, Jr. Second Lieutenant Army World War II
James Henry Mills Private Army World War II
David McCampbell Commander Navy World War II
Robert Edward Femoyer Second Lieutenant Air Corps World War II
Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. Major Air Corps World War II
Robert M. McTureious, Jr. Private Marine Corps World War II
Baldomero Lopez First Lieutenant Marine Corps Korean War
Emory L. Bennett Private First Class Army Korean War
Larry Eugene Smedley Corporal Marine Corps Vietnam War
Clifford Chester Sims Staff Sergeant Army Vietnam War
Nicholas J. Cutinha Specialist 4th Class Army Vietnam War
Clyde Everett Lassen Lieutenant Junior Grade Navy Vietnam War
Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. Private First Class Marine Corps Vietnam War
Hammett L. Bowen, Jr. Staff Sergeant Army Vietnam War
Bruce Wayne Carter Private First Class Army Vietnam War
Ardie R. Copas Sergeant Army Vietnam War
Paul R. Smith Sergeant First Class Army Iraq
Robert J. Miller Staff Sergeant Army Afghanistan
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. All views and opinions provided are my own and are never influenced by affiliate programs or sponsors providing products.
The praise was not to be long, nor universal. The beatnik movement seemed to take over. Musician David Amram believes that the beatnik movement was a manufactured one, arguing Beat writers such as Kerouac were not the goateed, beret wearing, pretentious types. Rather, he described themselves as hicks, not wanting to draw attention to themselves. Author 
